You’ve seen her dominate the screen for decades. Whether she was staring down a rival in Pine Valley or glammed up on a red carpet, Susan Lucci always feels like a giant. But if you ever stood next to her at a grocery store or a charity gala, you might be in for a shock.
The legendary "All My Children" star is actually quite tiny.
So, how tall is Susan Lucci actress exactly? The answer is 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm).
Honestly, it’s one of those classic Hollywood illusions. On camera, playing the indomitable Erica Kane, she had this massive presence that filled the entire room. Off-camera? She’s a petite powerhouse who has mastered the art of looking much taller than she actually is.
Why Everyone Thinks Susan Lucci is Taller
It's mostly about the shoes. And the hair. And, let's be real, the attitude.
For 41 years, Susan Lucci played a character who refused to be overlooked. Erica Kane didn't walk into a room; she commanded it. When you have that much confidence, people don't really notice where your head hits the doorframe.
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But there are some technical tricks at play here too.
- The Power of the Heel: You will rarely see Lucci in flats. Even in her 70s, she’s known for rocking sky-high stilettos that add a solid 4 or 5 inches to her frame.
- Monochromatic Dressing: One of her long-standing style secrets is wearing a single color from head to toe. It creates a vertical line that elongates her small frame.
- Pilates Posture: Susan is a lifelong devotee of Pilates. She once joked in an interview that she’s "five foot two on a good day" because of the stretching. Keeping that spine lengthened makes a huge difference.
The "Tiny but Mighty" Reality
Standing at 5'1", Susan falls well below the average height for American women, which is around 5'4". Yet, she never let her height dictate her career. In the soap opera world, where leading men like Walt Willey (Jackson Montgomery) often stand over 6 feet tall, the camera crew had to get creative.
Rumor has it they occasionally used "apple boxes"—wooden crates actors stand on to level out the shot—so she wouldn't look completely dwarfed during those intense face-to-face confrontations. It’s a standard industry trick, but it worked perfectly to keep Erica Kane looking like a formidable match for anyone.
Susan Lucci’s Height vs. Other Iconic Stars
When you think of "petite" Hollywood, Lucci is in good company.
Some people find it surprising that she's actually shorter than many other famously small actresses. Take Reese Witherspoon or Sarah Jessica Parker; they both hover around 5'2" or 5'3". Lucci is even smaller than them.
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She’s closer in height to stars like Danny DeVito (4'10") or Dolly Parton (5'0"). It just goes to show that "screen presence" has absolutely zero correlation with physical stature.
Does Height Matter for Her Fitness?
Actually, it kind of does. Susan has been very vocal about her health, especially after her 2018 heart scare where she discovered a 90% blockage in her main artery. Because she has a smaller frame, she’s always focused on staying "lean and toned" rather than building bulk.
She works out six days a week.
Usually, it’s a mix of her Pilates Pro Chair and light weights. She’s mentioned that as she’s gotten older (she’s now 79), she’s added more balance exercises because she knows that for a petite woman, a fall can be much more serious.
The Wardrobe Secrets of a 5'1" Legend
If you’re on the shorter side, you can actually learn a lot from how Susan Lucci dresses. She doesn't just "wear clothes"—she engineers them to work for her height.
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- Tailoring is everything. You’ll never see her in something baggy or oversized. Everything is nipped at the waist to emphasize her shape.
- V-Necks are her best friend. They draw the eye up and down, making the torso look longer.
- Proportional bags. She avoids giant tote bags that could literally look like they’re swallowing her whole. She sticks to clutches or smaller handbags.
Basically, she’s the blueprint for petite fashion.
Living Large at 5'1"
Even in 2026, Susan Lucci is still out there proving that age—and height—are just numbers. She recently wrapped filming on a project with Jonah Hill called Outcome, proving she can still hang with the big Hollywood players.
She’s often said that her mother, who lived to be 104, taught her not to let "labels" define her. Whether that label is "79 years old" or "petite actress," Susan just ignores it and keeps moving.
Actionable Takeaways for Petite Style
If you're looking to channel that Lucci energy for yourself, keep these things in mind:
- Invest in a good tailor. Off-the-rack clothes are rarely made for 5'1" frames. Shortening a hem or lifting a shoulder can change your entire look.
- Focus on posture. Slumping makes you look shorter and less confident. Whether it's Pilates or just being mindful, stand tall.
- Don't fear the height. Being petite is a superpower in its own way—you can pull off delicate details that overwhelm taller people.
Susan Lucci has spent over half a century proving that you don't need to be tall to be a giant in your industry. She’s 5'1" of pure talent, and frankly, that’s more than enough.