Carice van Houten Height – The Red Woman of Game of Thrones

Carice van Houten stands 5 feet 7 inches (169 cm) tall, a commanding presence that has captivated audiences worldwide through her portrayal of Melisandre in HBO's Game of Thrones and her award-winning performances in Dutch cinema. Born on September 5, 1976, in Leiderdorp, Netherlands, van Houten is one of Europe's most celebrated actresses, winning a record-breaking five Golden Calf awards throughout her career. Her height places her slightly above average for Dutch women, though significantly shorter than fellow Dutch actresses Sylvia Hoeks and Halina Reijn, both of whom stand at 5'9". Van Houten's international breakthrough came with Paul Verhoeven's Black Book (2006), the most commercially successful Dutch film to date, where she delivered a powerful performance that earned critical acclaim. Her role as the mysterious Red Priestess Melisandre in Game of Thrones (2012-2019) brought her Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, cementing her status as an international star.

Career Breakthrough and International Success

Van Houten's career took off in her native Netherlands before achieving international recognition. She won her first Golden Calf for Best Acting in a Television Drama for Suzy Q (1999), followed by another for Miss Minoes (2001). Her performance in Black Book (2006) earned widespread international acclaim, with director Paul Verhoeven declaring he had never worked with a more talented actress. The film's success opened doors to Hollywood, leading to roles in Valkyrie (2008) opposite Tom Cruise, and later in Bryan Singer's films. Van Houten's versatility shines through diverse roles – from the romantic comedy The Happy Housewife (2010), which earned her a fourth Golden Calf, to the biographical drama Black Butterflies (2011), where she portrayed South African poet Ingrid Jonker and won both a Golden Calf and the Tribeca Film Festival Best Actress award. Her height of 5'7" has never limited her ability to command the screen, whether in intimate Dutch dramas or major Hollywood productions.

Van Houten's most iconic role came when she was cast as Melisandre in Game of Thrones' second season. The character's imposing presence and mysterious nature were perfectly embodied by van Houten's performance, which combined physical grace with intense psychological depth. She appeared sporadically throughout the series' run, making such an impact that she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her final appearance in "The Long Night" episode. Notably, van Houten had to self-submit her Emmy consideration, paying entry fees herself after HBO overlooked her submission – a move that generated significant media attention. Beyond Game of Thrones, she has continued working in both Dutch and international productions, including Halina Reijn's directorial debut Instinct (2019), where Variety praised her "electrifying form." Van Houten speaks Dutch, English, German, and French fluently, allowing her to work across European cinema. She maintains a close friendship with fellow Dutch actress Halina Reijn, with whom she co-wrote the book Antiglamour (2013).

Height Comparison to Fellow Dutch Actresses

Related Dutch Actresses

Explore heights of other acclaimed Dutch actresses: Sylvia Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049), Halina Reijn (Instinct director), Hannah Hoekstra (Hemel), Rifka Lodeizen (Overspel).

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Carice van Houten?

Carice van Houten is 5 feet 7 inches (169 cm) tall. Her height has been consistently reported across various sources and her agency resume listed her as 1.68m, close to this measurement.

Is Carice van Houten taller than other Dutch actresses?

Van Houten's height is moderate compared to fellow Dutch actresses. She is shorter than Sylvia Hoeks, Halina Reijn, and Rifka Lodeizen (all 5'9"), but taller than Hannah Hoekstra (5'4").

What is Carice van Houten's most famous role?

Van Houten is best known internationally for playing Melisandre (The Red Woman) in HBO's Game of Thrones from 2012 to 2019. This role earned her an Emmy nomination and brought her worldwide recognition.

How many Golden Calf awards has Carice van Houten won?

Carice van Houten has won a record-breaking five Golden Calf awards throughout her career, including wins for Suzy Q (1999), Miss Minoes (2001), Black Book (2006), The Happy Housewife (2010), and Black Butterflies (2011).

Is Carice van Houten related to other actresses?

Yes, Carice van Houten's younger sister, Jelka van Houten, is also an actress, singer, and stage designer in the Netherlands. The two come from an artistic family.