Short Male Comic Actors Do Big Laughs in Hollywood

Does big laughter mean big men? If showbiz history is accurate guide, guys who make us laugh in movies and on television aren't always tall. Some of the funniest also happen to be pretty short height wise.

Woody Allen - 5'5"

After 50 years as writer, director and actor, Woody is an American comedy legend. At 5'5", he's tiny, but the Woodman casts a large comic shadow.

From Oscar winning Annie Hall to the delightful Radio Days to the skillful masterwork of Deconstructing Harry, Woody Allen's work has tickled our collective funny bone. His personal life and romances with leading ladies Diane Keaton and former flame Mia Farrow were less than hilarious causing controversy and even harsh judgment, but audiences always welcome Allen's uniquely signature comic sensibilities making his movies consistently solid, if not big box office hits.

Mel Brooks - 5'5"

Mel Brooks switched from hit comedy movie director to Broadway bigshot. At 5'5", his physical height doesn't match his Hollywood height.

He took his Mom's maternal name - Brookman - and came up with his stage name. As one of the few around to win an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony award, Brooks was named one of 2001's top entertainers by E! Although the film version of his mega hit Broadway The Producers was disappointing, Brooks hasn't missed a beat and his stage version of his comedy classic movie Young Frankenstein is soon to open on Broadway.

Nathan Lane - 5'5"

Lane is a versatile actor at home on stage and screen. At 5'5", he's not big physically, but it doesn't curtail his funny instincts.

Lane excels as character actor, yet seamlessly co-stars in films like The Producers and does voice work in animated movies like Titan A.E. and the Stuart Little movies. He has been out of the closet as a gay American since 1998, after the brutal beating death of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. Commenting on his decision to go public as a gay man, Lane said, "It was like somebody slapped me awake. At this point it's selfish not to do whatever you can... If I do this story and say I'm a gay person, it might make it easier for somebody else."

Michael J Fox - 5' 4½"

Fox is an actor who's at home in our living rooms or down at the multi-plex cinema. At 5' 4½", he's small, but boasts a towering public persona.

Canadian and high school dropout, Fox moved to Los Angeles to find his fortune after high school. In 1982, he exploded with classic sitcom Family Ties, as conservative, lovable snob Alex P. Keaton. When producer Steven Spielberg and director Robert Zemeckis chose him to play Marty McFly in the Back To The Future Movies, Fox became a certified Hollywood superstar. Since being afflicted with Parkinson's disease, Fox has been an outspoken advocate of stem cell research. He offers star power to support politicians who endorse bills making research into cures easier to conduct and to obtain federal funding from the government.