How tall is Alan Ritchson? Jack Reacher FINALLY played by actor tall enough (apologies to Tom Cruise)
| Real Name | Alan Michael Ritchson |
| Date of Birth | 28 November 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States |
| Age | 40 years (as of 2023) |
| Height | 6 ft and 5 inches (195.58 cm) |
| Weight | 105.75 kg (235lbs) |
| Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Catherine Ritchson |
| Eye colour | Green |
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA: Alan Ritchson, standing at an impressive 6 feet 5 inches (195.58 cm), takes on the titular character in Amazon Prime Video's 'Reacher', garnering praises for getting various aspects right, particularly in Ritchson's portrayal, earning positive reviews from trailers and first looks.
A notable point of relief for Jack Reacher fans is the accurate depiction of the character's height, a departure from the portrayal by Tom Cruise, who is 5 ft 7 inches (170 cm).
Ritchson aligns with Reacher's specified height of 6ft 5 inches (195.58 cm), reassuring fans of the character's faithful representation in the reboot.
Author Lee Child talks about Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher
While Cruise's first outing as Jack Reacher was successful at the box office, it received mixed reviews and the second one earned major criticism for the plot.
The height was a major issue, something that even the author of the books, Lee Child shared his two cents about.
Reportedly in 2018, Lee admitted that they are looking for someone much bigger in size for the role.
“I really enjoyed working with Cruise. He’s a really, really nice guy. We had a lot of fun,” Lee opined.
He continued, "But ultimately the readers are right. The size of Reacher is really, really important, and it’s a big component of who he is".
"The idea is that when Reacher walks into a room, you’re all a little nervous just for that first minute. And Cruise, for all his talent, didn’t have that physicality,” Lee added.
It is a no-brainer that Cruise has carved a name for himself as one of Hollywood's bonafide action stars with major hits such as 'Edge of Tomorrow' and the cult 'Misson: Impossible' series.
However, it was Lee’s decision to abandon him as the lead and reboot the series altogether.
"There won’t be any more movies with Tom Cruise," said the author. "We’re going to take it to Netflix or something like that."
Now in 2022, Ritchson is the new Reacher.
What is the plot of 'Reacher'?
The series follows Reacher, a veteran military police investigator who has just recently entered civilian life.
He's best described as a drifter with minimal supplies as he explores the country he once served.
He arrives in the town of Margrave, where he finds the department grappling with its first homicide in 20 years.
The official synopsis reads: "When retired Military Police Officer Jack Reacher is arrested for a murder he did not commit, he finds himself in the middle of a deadly conspiracy full of dirty cops, shady businessmen, and scheming politicians."
"With nothing but his wits, he must figure out what is happening in Margrave, Georgia".
Alan Ritchson's early life
Born on November 28, 1982, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Alan Ritchson is the son of Vickie, a high school teacher, and David, a retired US Air Force chief master sergeant.
The second of three boys, Ritchson's family moved to Rantoul, Illinois, during his childhood, eventually settling in Niceville, Florida, when he was 10.
He graduated from Niceville High School in 2001 and secured a full music scholarship. Ritchson attended Okaloosa Walton Community College from 1999 to 2003, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree, where he was actively involved in the Fine Arts division's Soundsations and Madrigal Singers.
Alan Ritchson's height compared to wife Catherine Ritchson
Alan Ritchson and Catherine Ritchson, high school sweethearts who have celebrated more than 15 years of marriage, share a notable height difference with Alan standing tall at 6ft and 5 inches (195.58 cm), while Catherine's height being 5ft and 7 inches (170 cm).
The 'Reacher' star met his wife Catherine when they were in high school, at ballet. Ritchson, who was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, resides in Florida with Catherine and their three sons Calem,10, Edan, 8, and Amory, 6.
Alan Ritchson’s height comparison with other actors
Other franchises also have needed tall actors as per the fictional heroes' canon heights, be it 'Aquaman' or 'Thor'. So how does Ritchson stack up against other heroes?
Alan Ritchson's height compared to 'Aquaman' actors
Alan Ritchson's height of 6ft 5 inches (196 cm) is considerably taller than 'Aquaman' actors like Jason Mamoa who stands 6ft 4 inches (193 cm) tall; Willem Dafoe, who's 5ft 7 inches (170.2 cm); Patrick Wilson at 5ft 11 ½ inches (181.6 cm), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II standing tall at 6ft 1 ¾ inches (187.3 cm).
Alan Ritchson height compared to fellow 'Smallville' stars
What about the 'Smallville' stars? Tom Welling is the tallest at 6ft 2 ½ inches (189 cm) along with Justin Hartley, who is also 6ft 2½″ inches (189 cm), followed by Michael Rosenbaum's height of 5ft 11 ¼ (181 cm). This makes Alan Ritchson way taller.
Alan Ritchson height compared to 'Thor' actor Chris Hemsworth
Unlike Ritchson, who was cast as Jack Reacher for his height, Chris Hemsworth almost lost the 'Thor' part because of his height. According to MCU canon, the God of Thunder is 6 feet 6 inches, while Hemsworth is 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m). Ritchson is closer to Thor's canon height, at 6 feet 5 inches, making him two inches taller than Hemsworth.
Why is Jack Reacher's height such a big deal?
Lee Child described Jack Reacher as a tall and imposing figure, standing around 6ft 5 inches (196 cm). It comes in handy especially since his physicality contributes to his ability to handle physical confrontations.
Alan Ritchson's height is also 6ft 5 inches (196 cm), matching Reacher's height in the books. However, previous versions of Jack Reacher, for eg, Tom Cruise's portrayal was panned because the actor's height did not match that of the character in the books.
How many times has Tom Cruise played Jack Reacher?
Tom Cruise played Jack Reacher in two book-to-movie adaptations — 'Reacher: Jack Reacher' (2012) from the ninth novel, 'One Shot', and 'Jack Reacher: Never Go Back' (2016) from the eighteenth novel, 'Never Go Back'.
Why did Tom Cruise pull out of Jack Reacher franchise?
Lee Child’s 'Jack Reacher' novels were adapted into two films starring Tom Cruise. When asked about why Cruise wasn't playing the titular character anymore, Child told 'The Sunday Times' in an interview that "Cruise is too old for the action genre and should think about getting more into character acting."
However, part of the reason the actor no longer appeared in the movie's sequels was because the Child also to some extent wanted to honor the readers' complaints that Cruise was not a true reflection of the guy he described in his books.
Cruise hopped onto making the 'Mission Impossible' seventh and eight installment and did not have time to mope around about leaving the role of Reacher. Let's explore Alan Ritchson's versatile roles in other movies.
What was Alan Ritchson's role in 'Titans'?
DC fans will remember Alan Ritchson as Hank "Hawk" Hall on 'Titans'. He played Dove's (Minka Kelly) crime-fighting partner and love interest on the show. 'Titans' Season 3 was the last to feature Ritchson, who officially departed after the episode 'Souls'.
Who did Alan Ritchson play in 'Hunger Games'?
Alan Ritchson was cast as Gloss in 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'. Gloss came from District 1, which is responsible for crafting high-end products for the Capitol.
Together with Districts 2 and 4, their tributes are commonly referred to as "Careers," as they undergo specialized training for the Hunger Games and willingly volunteer, as per tradition.
Gloss and his sister Cashmere won their respective Hunger Games about a decade before Katniss Everdeen, and by the events of Catching Fire were famous in the game.
They're selected in the Quarter Quell: a once-every-twenty-five-year version of the Hunger Games, with the 75th filled with previously untouchable Victors. President Snow designed the game to kill off Katniss, with Careers like Gloss serving as his pawns.
What was Alan Ritchson's role in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'?
Alan Ritchson, played Raphael in live-action/CGI film 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' reboot. Nicknamed Raph, Ritchson's character is one of the main four characters of the movie.
In many versions, he is portrayed as the most assertive among the turtle siblings, possessing great physical strength, and frequently in conflict with his brother, Leonardo.
What is Alan Ritchson’s net worth?
Alan Ritchson has amassed a substantial net worth, with estimates placing it at over $20 million. His annual income, derived from acting and modeling contracts, is reported to exceed $4 million. Alan Ritchson's net worth in 2023 is more than double his 2022 net worth of $12.9M.
What is Alan Ritchson’s salary?
Alan Ritchson's impressive earnings are estimated to reach a remarkable $75 million, solidifying his position as one of the most financially successful actors in the industry.
At 38 years old he had secured the top spot on People With Money's list of the highest-paid actors for 2023.
What is Alan Ritchson's age?
Alan Michael Ritchson, born November 28, 1982, is currently 40 years old.
What is Alan Ritchson's birth place?
Alan Michael Ritchson was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Vickie (Harrell), a high school teacher, and David Ritchson, a US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant.
In a conversation with Lee Child, Ritchson revealed to Square Mile, "I was born on a cold, blustery day in Grand Forks, North Dakota. My dad was in the military so we moved around a lot".
Is Jack Reacher really 6ft 5 inches?
In the 'Jack Reacher' book series, the titular character, Jack Reacher, is consistently described as being 6ft 5 inches (195.58 cm) tall, as per IMDB. In light of that thought, Alan Ritchson is indeed an imposing 6ft 5 inches (195.58 cm) tall, same as the height described for Jack Reacher in the books, his portrayal in the series showcasing his ability to carry himself with the necessary size and gravitas associated with the character.
How did they make Jack Reacher look so big?
Alan Ritchson, already an imposing figure at 6ft 5 inches (195.58 cm) tall and in great physical shape, took on the challenge of portraying Jack Reacher convincingly by further enhancing his muscle mass.
Ritchson dedicated himself to building the necessary physique to embody the character's strength and presence in the Amazon Prime Video series.
How tall and heavy is Jack Reacher?
Jack Reacher's height in the books is recorded at 6ft 5 inches (195.58 cm), weighing between 210–250 pounds, and having a 50-inch chest. Consequently, Alan Ritchson's commitment to authentically portraying Reacher in the TV series is evident in his physical transformation.
He shared that he gained 30 pounds of pure muscle for the first season of 'Reacher' in just 8 months and an additional 5 pounds of muscle for the second season.
Is Jack Reacher autistic?
The character Jack Reacher, created by Lee Child, is indeed a fictional character, and there has been no official indication from the production or the author that Reacher is portrayed as an autistic person or exhibits traits associated with Asperger's Syndrome.
While readers may interpret and speculate about the character's traits, it's crucial to recognize that any such interpretations are subjective and not explicitly confirmed by the creator or those involved in the production.
How tall and heavy is Tom Cruise?
Tom Cruise, the American actor, is generally reported to be around 5ft 7 inches tall, which is approximately 170 cm. Cruise's weight is typically listed at approximately 150 lbs, equivalent to around 68 kgs.