REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

How tall is Hannah Waddingham? Veteran actress once urged big women to 'embrace their height'

Hannah Waddingham's above-average height makes her stand out among her female peers
UPDATED NOV 18, 2023
Hannah Waddingham is known for playing Rebecca Welton in the comedy series 'Ted Lasso' (Getty Images)
Hannah Waddingham is known for playing Rebecca Welton in the comedy series 'Ted Lasso' (Getty Images)
Full Name Hannah Waddingham
Date of Birth July 28, 1974
Age 49 (as of 2023)
Place of Birth Wandsworth, Southwest London
Nationality British
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) approx
Weight 65 kg (145 lbs) approx
Net Worth $5 million
Partner Gianluca Cugnetto
Children Kitty

WANDSWORTH, SOUTHWEST LONDON: Hannah Waddingham is a legendary British actress who stands 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m or 180 cm) tall. The well-known English actress, recognized for her role in 'Ted Lasso,' has a weight of 65 kg (145 lbs).

Waddingham has earned numerous Emmy Awards and garnered three Olivier Award nominations. Her notable appearances include roles in 'Les Misérables,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'Winter Ridge,' and 'Sex Education.' Additionally, she co-hosted the 'Eurovision Song Contest' in 2023.

The veteran actress once motivated her tall female fans saying, "Your height is just something you have to embrace. I like to think that I offer more women per square inch."

A fan re-posted the actress' quotes stating, "Hannah Waddingham on proudly owning her height."



 

Hannah Waddingham or Sophie Wilde: Who is taller?

Sophie Wilde's height is 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 m or 172 cm). This makes Hannah Waddingham 3 inches taller than her fellow actress. Sophie Wilde is an Australian actress who was seen alongside Hannah Waddingham in the ITV historical drama 'Tom Jones.'

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 13: Hannah Waddingham attends the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards a
Hannah Waddingham is taller than Sophie Wilde (Getty Images) 

She is well-known for her roles on television in the BBC series 'You Don't Know Me', the 'Stan series Eden.' 'Talk to Me' and 'The Portable Door' are two of her movies. The Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) recognized her as a rising talent for the year 2020.

Sophie Wilde (sophiewildee/ Instagram)
Sophie Wilde is widely known for her role in 'Tom Jones' (@sophiewildee/ Instagram)

Hannah Waddingham's height compared to boyfriend Gianluca Cugnetto

Gianluca Cugnetto stands at the height of 6 ft (1.82 m or 182 cm) which makes Hanna Waddingham one inch shorter than her partner. Despite their romantic connection, the 'Ted Lasso' actress does not refer to any man as her husband as she is not married.

Hannah Waddingham is 1 inch shorter than boyfriend Gianluca Cugnetto (CelF/ YouTube)
Hannah Waddingham is one inch shorter than boyfriend Gianluca Cugnetto (CelF/ YouTube)

Nevertheless, she remains content in a committed relationship. According to LCFN reports, Hanna Waddingham has been in a relationship with Gianluca Cugnetto for nearly 11 years.

Waddingham and Cugnetto welcomed their only child, a daughter named Kitty, in the year 2016.

Cugnetto is a food and drink expert who specializes in "luxury customer service" at hotels in locations like Dubai, Cyprus, and the Maldives.

Breaking down the mysteries of Hannah Waddingham's tall beauty

Profile summary

Waddingham hails from Wandsworth in London, with her roots deeply connected to music—her mother, Melodie Kelly, and both maternal grandparents were opera singers.

She has graced the stages of London's West End and New York's Broadway, marking her West End debut in Lautrec by Charles Aznavour in March 2000.

Following that, she took on the role of Christine Warner in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton’s The Beautiful Game, committing to the show's year-long run at the Cambridge Theatre from September 2000.

To symbolize her commitment to her daughter, Waddingham proudly displays her Emmy award in her child's bedroom, serving as a constant reminder that she's only away for truly significant reasons.

Beyond her theatrical pursuits, Waddingham is multilingual, fluent in both French and Italian, showcasing her passion for languages.

Hannah Waddingham's career and education

Hannah Waddingham's exposure to the world of theater began at the age of eight when her mother joined the English National Opera.

After graduating from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, Waddingham, with her impressive four-octave vocal range, started her career in dinner theatre, notably in the interactive comedy Joni and Gina's Wedding.

Venturing into London's West End and Broadway, Waddingham made her mark with roles in productions like 'Lautrec', 'The Beautiful Game', and 'Spamalot', earning accolades and Olivier Award nominations.

Her versatility shone through in various stage performances, including 'A Little Night Music', 'Tonight's the Night', and Into the Woods.

Waddingham's transition to screen included roles in Not Going Out, Les Misérables, and Benidorm, but her most iconic television role came as Septa Unella, the "Shame Nun," in 'Game of Thrones'.

Despite facing challenges during filming, she left with a memorable parting gift—the iconic "shame bell."

The actress gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Rebecca Welton in 'Ted Lasso', receiving critical acclaim and winning awards for her role.

Beyond television, Waddingham showcased her talent in 'Hocus Pocus 2', earning praise for her commanding presence on screen.

Her diverse career continued with roles in the ITV drama miniseries Tom Jones and the upcoming Mission: Impossible film. Waddingham also co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, earning the title of an "overnight national treasure."

With her multifaceted talents and impactful performances, Waddingham remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Hannah Waddingham's body type and measurements

Hannah Waddingham possesses an enchanting, statuesque figure, and slim built, standing tall at 5 feet 11 inches or 180 cm (1.8 m) and maintaining a weight of approximately 64 kg or 141 pounds.

When it comes to her dietary preferences, Waddingham opts for a healthier approach, steering clear of food items with excessive sugar and butter content.

In an interview, she candidly shared her aversion to the sugary, buttery cookies featured in the first season of Ted Lasso, highlighting her commitment to a more mindful and balanced eating routine.

Curiosity surrounding Hannah Waddingham's height

After the series finale on May 31, Hannah Waddingham made an appearance on 'The View' on June 15, opening up about a transformative aspect of her experience with the feel-good series. She revealed how 'Ted Lasso' played a significant role in helping her overcome one of her longstanding insecurities as an actor—her height.

As a woman standing at 5 ft 11 inches , Waddingham shared the challenges she faced due to her tall stature throughout her acting career, which began in the early 2000s.

She candidly expressed the struggles she encountered, recounting instances where she was turned down for roles because her male co-stars would have been shorter than her. However, her perspective shifted when she secured her role on 'Ted Lasso'. 

Impact of height on roles and characters

Hannah Waddingham, known for her roles in 'Game of Thrones' and 'Sex Education', gained widespread recognition with her Emmy-winning performance in the popular Apple TV+ series 'Ted Lasso'.

Despite her success, Waddingham shared on 'The View' in June that her 5 ft 11 inches height has been a hurdle in her career, leading to frequent oversights for roles.

Opening up to Whoopi Goldberg and the panel, Waddingham revealed the challenges she faced during auditions, often knowing she wouldn't be considered due to concerns about towering over male leads.

As she explained on the June 15 episode, "Being a woman who's not small—very tall—I had always struggled."

Waddingham recounted instances where casting decisions were influenced by the height of the male lead, with producers expressing hesitations about her towering stature.

The transformative moment came with her role in 'Ted Lasso', where co-star Jason Sudeikis defied conventional expectations.

According to Business Insider, Sudeikis embraced her height, expressing, "I don't care if she wears 4-inch heels. Let's do it."

This unprecedented support made a significant impact on Waddingham's career, highlighting the importance of such generosity in an industry where height biases can be limiting.

In reflecting on the unique situation, Waddingham emphasized the rarity of a male co-star being so supportive and celebratory of her natural attributes, a refreshing departure from conventional norms that often prioritize certain physical standards.

Hannah Waddingham's big screen roles 

Theater career

Hannah Waddingham's journey as a stage actress spans both London's West End and New York's Broadway. Her West End debut took place in March 2000 in 'Lautrec' by Charles Aznavour.

She then originated the role of Christine Warner in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's 'The Beautiful Game,' staying with the production for its year-long run at the Cambridge Theatre from September 2000.

Waddingham's diverse stage roles include Starbird in 'Space Family Robinson' (Julian & Stephen Butler, 2002) and Satan in 'Tonight's the Night: The Rod Stewart Musical' at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2003.

Notably, she portrayed the Lady of the Lake in 'Spamalot' in both the London production and on Broadway, earning an Olivier Award nomination.

Her performance as Desirée Armfeldt in Trevor Nunn's revival of 'A Little Night Music' garnered outstanding reviews, with one critic likening her to the 'Joanna Lumley of musical theatre.' Waddingham received another Olivier Award nomination in 2010 for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in 'Night Music.'

In 2010, she played the Witch in the production of 'Into the Woods' at London's Open Air Theatre.

Waddingham originated the role of The Wicked Witch of the West in the West End production of 'The Wizard of Oz' in 2011, winning the whatsonstage.com Theatergoers Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Her stage credits also include the concert premiere of Styles and Drew's 'Soho Cinders' at the Queens Theatre in 2011 and starring in the Chichester Festival Theatre's revival of 'Kiss Me, Kate' in 2012, which later transferred to the Old Vic Theatre in November 2012.

On August 25, 2023, Waddingham was announced as the host of the Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom as part of the BBC Proms.

However, on August 28, she withdrew from the performance just hours before it was set to take place, in solidarity with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

Movie career

Hannah Waddingham shines on screen, with standout roles in 'Game of Thrones' and 'Ted Lasso', and a limited role in 'Sex Education', showcasing her versatile acting prowess.

Game of Thrones as Septa Unella

Hannah Waddingham made her debut in 'Game of Thrones' during season 5, portraying the character Septa Unella, a devoted member of the Faith of the Seven clergy and one of the loyal followers of the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce).

However, Unella is widely recognized in popular culture as the "Shame Nun," a moniker derived from her memorable scene.

In this scene, she infamously strips Cersei Lannister completely bare and compels her to walk through the streets of King's Landing, all while ringing a bell and fervently chanting "shame."

This punishment is inflicted upon Cersei for her perceived sins, particularly her adulterous relationship with Lancel, her cousin.

The "Shame Nun" scene became a standout moment in the series, contributing to the character's lasting impact in Game of Thrones lore.

As Sofia Marchetti in 'Sex Education'

Hannah Waddingham assumed a significant role in Netflix's 'Sex Education' (2019–2023) as Sofia, one of Jackson Marchetti's (Kedar Williams-Stirling) moms.

In the initial two seasons, Sofia held a central position as a main character, notably influencing Jackson's dedication to competitive swimming.

However, her prominence diminished in season three, where she only made a brief appearance towards the end.

While Netflix did not provide a specific explanation for Waddingham's character having a reduced role in the third season, two potential reasons came to mind.

Sources claim, firstly, Waddingham might have been involved in other commitments, such as her role in 'Ted Lasso', which could have conflicted with the filming schedule of 'Sex Education'.

Alternatively, the limitations imposed by the coronavirus pandemic may have led to a reduction in the number of people on set, impacting Sofia's screen time in season three.

As Rebecca Welton in 'Ted Lasso'

From 2020 to 2023, Hannah Waddingham graced the screen as Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond, in the Apple TV+ series 'Ted Lasso' The show garnered acclaim for its "refreshing" depiction of a supportive female friendship between Waddingham's character, Rebecca, and Juno Temple's character, Keeley.

Adding to her multifaceted talents, Waddingham showcased her singing prowess in the series.

She performed her own vocals in the season one episode 'Make Rebecca Great Again' and continued to lend her voice in the season two episodes 'Carol of the Bells' and 'No Weddings and a Funeral'.

The recognition for her outstanding performance came in 2021 when Waddingham secured the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal in 'Ted Lasso'.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Waddingham reflected on discovering the perfect role, expressing, "Now I know how it should feel."

However, she acknowledges the bittersweet reality that comes with it, stating, "The hard part is the fact that unless I play her, Rebecca doesn't exist anymore. And I want to see her through," particularly in the context of the likelihood that 'Ted Lasso' has come to its conclusion. 

Was Hannah Waddingham at Eurovision 2023?

According to the New York Times, Hannah Waddingham joined Eurovision 2023 as a Host.

Hannah Waddingham, earned the title of an "overnight national treasure" for her lively and at times eccentric co-hosting of this week's Eurovision finals, as The Guardian reported.

During a press conference ahead of the grand final in Liverpool, where she was set to co-host, Waddingham expressed her surprise at the overwhelming positive reaction.

When asked by a journalist about her "next plan for world domination," considering her achievements on stage, screen, and now as a presenter, the 48-year-old responded with a mix of excitement and disbelief, exclaiming, "Oh my God! Can I just digest that for a moment please?!" 

Hannah Waddingham's age

Born in 28 July 1974, Hannah Waddingham's age is currently 49 years. 

How tall is Hannah Waddingham in feet?

Hannah Waddingham's height is 5ft 11 inches (180 cm) as several sources claim. However, other sources report her height to be slightly shorter, that is, 5 feet 10 ¾ inches (approx. 180 cm).

How tall is Rebecca from 'Ted Lasso'?

Hannah Waddingham, aka, Rebecca from 'Ted Lasso' stood at 5 ft 10 inches (178 cm) tall. 'Ted Lasso' garnered acclaim for its "refreshing" portrayal of a supportive female friendship between Hannah Waddingham's character, Rebecca Welton, and Juno Temple's character, Keeley

Who plays Rebecca in 'Ted Lasso'?

Hannah Waddingham plays Rebecca in 'Ted Lasso'. It was from 2020 to 2023, that Waddingham brought the character of Rebecca Welton to life as the owner of AFC Richmond in the Apple TV+ series.

Hannah Waddingham takes on the role of Rebecca Welton, the owner of a struggling football club and Ted's boss in the series. Her character's dynamic with Ted and the challenges faced by the football club form integral aspects of the show's narrative.

Rebecca Welton, formerly Mannion, stands as a main regular character in the Apple TV+ series "Ted Lasso." She holds the pivotal role of being the owner of AFC Richmond and has various connections within the storyline—being the ex-wife of Rupert Mannion, the boss of Leslie Higgins, Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, Nathan Shelley, Sharon Fieldstone, and Roy Kent.

Additionally, she takes on the role of the godmother to Nora, daughter of Deborah, and counts Flo Collins and Keeley Jones among her best friends. 

How old is Rebecca Welton in 'Ted Lasso'?

Rebecca's age evolves throughout the series, starting at 45 years old in Season 1 and reaching 47 years old in Season 3, adding a layer of character development to her journey in 'Ted Lasso'.

How old is Hannah Waddingham and where is she from?

Hannah Waddingham was born in 28 July 1974, hailing from Wandsworth, London, England. She is currently 49 years old.

What is Hannah Waddingham Working on now?

In a thrilling turn of events, Hannah Waddingham joined the cast of the untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film in March 2023, marking her venture into the action-packed world of the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Shortly after, in May 2023, she took on the role of co-host for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 held in Liverpool. Collaborating with Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, Waddingham brought her charm and energy to the Eurovision stage.

Graham Norton also joined the team for the final, creating a dynamic hosting lineup for the prestigious event.

How is Hannah Waddingham's height compared to other celebrities?

Without heels, The actress and Eurovision host Hannah Waddingham's height is 5ft 11 in height (180 cm), as compared to other celebrities and co-stars like Phil Dunster's height of 5ft 9 ¼ (175.9 cm), Juno Temple's height of 5ft 2 (157.5 cm), and shorter than Kola Bokinni's height of 6ft 0 inches (183 cm) and Jason Sudeikis's height of 6ft 0 inch (182.9 cm). 

What is the average height for women, and how does Hannah Waddingham compare?

Reportedly, the average height of a woman in Britain is 5ft 3inches. So, compared to Hannah Waddingham's height of 5ft 11 in height (180 cm), she is quite taller. Waddingham once claimed it was "unique" Jason Sudeikis didn't care that she's taller than he is. "I don't care if she wears four-inch heels.

Does Hannah Waddingham height influence her fashion choices?

Before becoming everyone's favorite statuesque blonde, Hannah Waddingham reportedly found fame as a plus-size model, as per reports from The Sun. In a recent interview, the 49-year-old actress and singer shared insights into her past career, explaining how her experience as a plus-size model has influenced her style today.

Waddingham revealed in a TikTok interview, "One thing I will say, before I was an actress and a singer, I was a plus-size model. It wasn't at a time when it was embraced. So I'm always down for any designer that actually has booties, tummies, and boobies very much taken care of."

As a woman standing at 5 feet 11 inches, she has also faced challenges in the show business industry due to her height.

Despite these challenges, Waddingham has become known for her collaboration with the Ted Lasso costume designer, Jacky Levy, particularly for shaping the iconic looks of her character, Rebecca Welton, throughout the three-season show.

The character's wardrobe, featuring power suits, figure-hugging pencil skirts, and Christian Louboutins, reflects a collaborative effort between Waddingham and Levy, she told Women's Wear Daily.

Are there any roles that Hannah Waddingham has taken on specifically because of her height? 

Glamour Uk reports that Hannah Waddingham opened up about the challenges she faced in the industry, revealing that she had been turned down for roles in the past because male actors were taller than her. 

Fortunately, when it came to auditioning particulary for 'Ted Lasso', Jason Sudeikis saw beyond any height concerns and did not perceive it as an issue, recognizing the talent and suitability of Hannah Waddingham for the role.

POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW