Ralph Meeker's Height
6ft 1 (185.4 cm)
American actor best remembered for roles in films such as The Naked Spur, Big House, U.S.A., Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, The Dirty Dozen, The Detective, The Anderson Tapes, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Ada and the TV show Not for Hire. A 1952 presspack for Shadow in the Sky proclaimed, 'Six Foot Ralph Meeker' and then described him "an all-around athlete, he stands six-feet, one-inch high".
MGM Jeopardy Film Publicity Still (1953)
MGM Jeopardy Film Publicity Still (1953)
Add a Comment10 comments
Average Guess (2 Votes)
6ft 0.88in (185.1cm)
6ft 0.88in (185.1cm)
Ian C. said on 22/Nov/20
Cast as Mike Hammer in Kiss Me Deadly, he was surrounded on all sides by short actors to make him look taller than he was. He towers over people in that movie in a way that a six foot one man would not. I suspect this was done because Meeker just didn't have the physicality to play Hammer.
The Hammer films never became a franchise, like James Bond, because the right actor was never cast as Hammer. Who would have been perfect? Jack Palance. Huge and immensely strong, handsome but essentially vicious, Palance would have been the guy.
Cast as Mike Hammer in Kiss Me Deadly, he was surrounded on all sides by short actors to make him look taller than he was. He towers over people in that movie in a way that a six foot one man would not. I suspect this was done because Meeker just didn't have the physicality to play Hammer.
The Hammer films never became a franchise, like James Bond, because the right actor was never cast as Hammer. Who would have been perfect? Jack Palance. Huge and immensely strong, handsome but essentially vicious, Palance would have been the guy.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 16/Feb/17
Rob, is a weak or strong 6ft1 more likely?
Editor Rob
Rob, is a weak or strong 6ft1 more likely?
Editor Rob Rampage, it's a tough one. har
movieguy said on 13/Jan/17
Last night watched the Detective in which Frank Sinatra gives big Ralph Meeker a beating. Somehow I don't think this would have happened in real life. I agree he was a pretty good actor who mainly was cast in supporting roles. Did look a genuine 6ft guy.
Last night watched the Detective in which Frank Sinatra gives big Ralph Meeker a beating. Somehow I don't think this would have happened in real life. I agree he was a pretty good actor who mainly was cast in supporting roles. Did look a genuine 6ft guy.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 28/Sep/15
He sort of resembles Hugh Jackman in the picture.
He sort of resembles Hugh Jackman in the picture.
Arch Stanton said on 21/Nov/14
Thanks. He was good in so many films. I particularly liked him as the detective in the Anderson Tapes. I didn't suggest that on on Connery's page as he was in too many notable others!
Thanks. He was good in so many films. I particularly liked him as the detective in the Anderson Tapes. I didn't suggest that on on Connery's page as he was in too many notable others!
Arch Stanton said on 18/Nov/14
Rob can you add a photo and update with US Actor best remembered for his roles in The Naked Spur, Big House, U.S.A., Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, The Dirty Dozen, The Detective, The Anderson Tapes, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and Ada and the TV show Not for Hire". I was about to say virtually the same films in that order as Sam :-) but I think St Val and Ada are worth adding too. Dunno Sam, he could look 6'1" in Kiss Me Deadly.
Rob can you add a photo and update with US Actor best remembered for his roles in The Naked Spur, Big House, U.S.A., Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, The Dirty Dozen, The Detective, The Anderson Tapes, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and Ada and the TV show Not for Hire". I was about to say virtually the same films in that order as Sam :-) but I think St Val and Ada are worth adding too. Dunno Sam, he could look 6'1" in Kiss Me Deadly.
Sam said on 29/Oct/14
Perhaps be could have been 6'0.5" but I can't see a flat six feet, he looked maybe just to edge out Jack Elam.
Rob, could you update the top: "US Actor best remembered for his roles in The Naked Spur, Big House, U.S.A., Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, The Dirty Dozen, The Detective, The Anderson Tapes and the TV show Not for Hire".
Perhaps be could have been 6'0.5" but I can't see a flat six feet, he looked maybe just to edge out Jack Elam.
Rob, could you update the top: "US Actor best remembered for his roles in The Naked Spur, Big House, U.S.A., Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, The Dirty Dozen, The Detective, The Anderson Tapes and the TV show Not for Hire".
Shadow2 said on 9/Dec/11
Ralph was definitely at least 6'1", and in movies often seemed the same height as 6'2" co-stars such as Barry Sullivan and Lee Marvin.
Ralph was definitely at least 6'1", and in movies often seemed the same height as 6'2" co-stars such as Barry Sullivan and Lee Marvin.
Ed T. said on 8/May/09
Meeker looked very similar in height to Lee Marvin in their side by side scenes in "The Dirty Dozen". In a couple of scenes Meeker actually looked slightly taller than Marvin. Maybe the ground was uneven. But as Marvin was most likely 6'1", maybe 6'1.5", Meeker could have been 6'1"
Meeker looked very similar in height to Lee Marvin in their side by side scenes in "The Dirty Dozen". In a couple of scenes Meeker actually looked slightly taller than Marvin. Maybe the ground was uneven. But as Marvin was most likely 6'1", maybe 6'1.5", Meeker could have been 6'1"
larry said on 12/Mar/06
I didn't see the Sandpiper. But I have seen the Naked Spur with James Stewart, Robert Ryan, etc. In that movie, Jimmy Stewart reads an army discharge paper for Ralph Meek's character that describes him as 6'1" and 185 pounds. Of couse that's the character he was playing. But compared to 6'3" Stewart & 6'4" Ryan, Meeker appears about 6'1". He wasn't in many movies, but he was in the pilot for "The Night Stalker" (played an FBI agent). He looked 6-6'1" there.
I didn't see the Sandpiper. But I have seen the Naked Spur with James Stewart, Robert Ryan, etc. In that movie, Jimmy Stewart reads an army discharge paper for Ralph Meek's character that describes him as 6'1" and 185 pounds. Of couse that's the character he was playing. But compared to 6'3" Stewart & 6'4" Ryan, Meeker appears about 6'1". He wasn't in many movies, but he was in the pilot for "The Night Stalker" (played an FBI agent). He looked 6-6'1" there.
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