Kelly McGillis, standing at an exact 5ft 9 ½ (176.5 cm), commanded attention with her statuesque presence in Hollywood's biggest films of the 1980s.
Her height enhanced her portrayal of the poised Rachel Lapp in Witness (1985) opposite Harrison Ford, earning Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. In Top Gun (1986), as instructor Charlie alongside Tom Cruise, McGillis's 5ft 9 ½ (176.5 cm) frame sparked production debates over heels to match her towering on-screen authority.
- Starred in The Accused (1988) with Jodie Foster, her height underscoring Kathryn Murphy's formidable strength.
- Featured in Made in Heaven (1987) and The House on Carroll Street (1988), where her 176.5 cm stature amplified dramatic intensity.
McGillis's career highlighted how her exact height shaped her image as a powerful, unapologetic leading lady.