So, let's talk about the guy who basically grew up in front of our eyes. If you spent any time on the Disney Channel during the late 2000s, you know Jake T. Austin. He was the lovable, slightly chaotic Max Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place. He was the original voice of Diego. Later, he broke hearts as Jesus Foster. But as he transitioned from that "cute kid" phase into a full-grown adult in the spotlight, one question started popping up everywhere: How tall is he, actually?
It's a weird thing with child stars. We see them at 12, then 15, then 20, and our brains struggle to calibrate. Jake T. Austin height is one of those topics that has sparked more debate on Reddit and celeb-spotting forums than you’d probably guess. Some say he’s tiny. Others swear he’s "average." Honestly, the numbers out there are all over the place.
The Reality of the Tape Measure
If you look at his official representation or his IMDb profile, the number usually cited is 5 feet 8 inches (around 173 cm).
Now, in the world of Hollywood, "5'8"" is often a bit of a placeholder. Agents love to round up. We've all seen actors who claim to be 5'11" but look eye-to-eye with a 5'9" talk show host. However, with Jake, 5'8" seems pretty spot on when you look at him next to his co-stars.
He's not a giant. He’s also not remarkably short. He’s basically that "everyman" height that works well for a versatile actor. When he was on Dancing with the Stars back in 2016, standing next to professional dancers—who are notoriously lean and often on the shorter side—he didn't look out of place at all.
Why People Think He’s Shorter
There's a psychological trick at play here. Because he played the "younger brother" for so long, fans have this permanent image of him being small. David Henrie (Justin Russo) is roughly 5'11". Selena Gomez is about 5'5", but she lived in five-inch heels during those red carpet years.
When Jake stood between them, he looked like the "little" one.
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Even now, as he’s in his early 30s—yeah, time flies, right?—people still expect him to be that 5'2" kid from season one. He’s not. He filled out, he grew, and he hit a very standard adult male height.
The "Disney Height" Phenomenon
There's this weird trend with Disney actors. A lot of them are around the 5'7" to 5'9" range. Think about it. Zac Efron? 5'8". Joe Jonas? 5'7". It’s almost like there’s a sweet spot for casting where you're tall enough to be a leading man but not so tall that you tower over every leading lady in the industry.
Jake fits right into that mold.
In The Fosters, he was often seen next to Maia Mitchell or Cierra Ramirez. Since they aren't exactly WNBA height, Jake looked quite "sturdy" and proportional in those scenes. When Noah Centineo took over the role of Jesus later on, the height difference was jarring because Noah is a solid 6'1". That casting switch probably contributed to the confusion about Jake's actual stature. You see one guy, then a much taller guy plays the same person, and suddenly you're convinced the first guy was "short."
It's All About Proportions
Jake has a broader build than some of his contemporaries. He’s always been into sports—baseball, surfing, soccer. This gives him a more "compact" look. People with his frame often look shorter in photos than they actually are because they are muscular rather than "lanky."
Common Misconceptions and Comparisons
If you go down the rabbit hole of "CelebHeights," you'll see people analyzing his shoes.
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"Look at the heel on those boots!"
"He's standing on a curb!"
Honestly, it’s a bit much. Most people who have met him at conventions or in New York (his family owns a restaurant there, the Clarksville Inn) say the same thing: he’s a normal-sized guy. He isn't trying to trick anyone with "elevator shoes" or weird camera angles.
Let's look at some quick comparisons:
- Selena Gomez: She's 5'5". In flat shoes, Jake is clearly a few inches taller than her.
- David Henrie: David has about three inches on him.
- Jenna Johnson: His DWTS partner is about 5'4". In heels, she was his height, which makes perfect sense.
Does Height Even Matter for His Career Now?
In 2026, the industry is way less obsessed with the "6-foot-tall leading man" trope. We want actors who can actually act. Jake’s been doing this since he was seven. He was on Letterman as a kid. He voiced characters that defined a generation’s childhood.
He’s moved into more "gritty" roles recently, like in the film Adverse. For those kinds of parts, being a "massive" guy isn't the point. It’s about the intensity and the screen presence.
He’s also leaned heavily into his Puerto Rican heritage and his New York roots. He’s a city guy through and through. If you walk around Manhattan, 5'8" is the "standard" version of the human male. You're not hitting your head on the subway ceiling, but you're not getting lost in the crowd either.
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What You Should Know If You're a Fan
If you're trying to figure out if you'd be taller than him in a photo op, just do the math. If you're 5'6" and wearing sneakers, he's going to have a couple of inches on you. If you're a 6'0" guy, you're going to be looking down a bit.
It’s also worth noting that Jake has always been pretty vocal about fitness. He’s not just "skinny-tall." He puts in the work. He’s talked about using his platform for stuff like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Voto Latino. When you're doing that kind of work, your "vertical height" is the least interesting thing about you.
Ultimately, Jake T. Austin is exactly as tall as he needs to be. He’s had a career that most actors would kill for, starting from commercials to Emmy-winning shows.
If you're looking for more info on Jake, your best bet is to check out his recent projects or his social media, where he’s surprisingly low-key for someone who’s been famous for two decades.
Next Steps for You
- Check out the Clarksville Inn in West Nyack if you're ever in New York; his family has owned it forever and it's a cool piece of history (and a great place to potentially see some memorabilia).
- Watch his performance in Adverse to see how he's moved away from the Disney "Max Russo" persona into adult drama.
- Follow his advocacy work with Voto Latino if you're interested in how he uses his celebrity status for social change.