What tricks do filmmakers use to make Tom Cruise appear taller than he is?

First off, this isn't just done for Tom Cruise obviously.  A majority of leading men in the history of cinema have come across fellow cast mates that are taller than them.  A majority of films in the history of cinema have had to create ways to even cast mates' heights out for proper framing, desired characterization, etc. 

Robert Downey Jr. - 5'9"

Ben Stiller - 5'7"

Al Pacino - 5'6"

Humphrey Bogart - 5'8"

Dustin Hoffman - 5'6"

Plenty more where that came from too. 

There are a number of ways to make one actor appear taller than they really are. 

• Shoes/Boots
• Apple boxes
• Forced perspective shooting
• High and low angles
  
• Posture variances
• Trenches
• Risers

The best practice is likely casting, but there's not always the freedom one would like in that respect.  It'd be very difficult to always simply cast a shorter actress to act alongside a short actor. 

So there's no big secret here with Tom Cruise.  His actual height?  Who knows?  It's been reported to be 5'7" - 5'9".  Likely somewhere in the middle. 

So there's no real "trick".  There's just regular filmmaking practices to ensure that actors are framed in the shot in the desired way. 

There's the flip side of this too, when tall actors are shooting with very short actresses, the same techniques mentioned above are used.  

And to traverse onto a tangent, I know the question wasn't worded as such but there is the general snickering from the public when they talk about Tom Cruise actually being so short, as if this was such a headline worthy bit.  As if it lessened his stature (pun intended) as an actor and box office star.

Some successful guys are short.  Some have bad teeth (Pay attention to Kevin Costner's lower teeth when you watch his movies).  Some have bald spots.  What's the big deal? 

Best,

Ken Miyamoto - Bald and 5'9"... 5'9" AND A HALF ACTUALLY

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