Roddy McDowall, standing at an exact 5ft 9 (175.3 cm), brought a distinctive slender presence to his iconic roles in film and television. This height perfectly suited his versatile career, from child star in classics like How Green Was My Valley and Lassie Come Home, where his boyish stature captivated audiences, to his breakthrough as the intelligent chimpanzee Cornelius in the Planet of the Apes franchise, enhancing the realism of his ape makeup and agile movements.
His 5ft 9 frame also lent an elegant vulnerability to horror roles, such as in Fright Night, and supported his later work as a director, photographer, and voice artist. McDowall's height contributed to his enduring image as a nimble, charismatic performer across decades.