Peter Dinklage 'never' imagined he'd have career success because of his height

Former 'Game of Thrones' star Peter Dinklage worried he wouldn't have a successful acting career because of his size even though it was something he always wanted to do.

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Peter Dinklage worried that his height would hold him back in the world of acting
Peter Dinklage worried that his height would hold him back in the world of acting

Peter Dinklage worried he wouldn't have a successful acting career because of his size.

The 54-year-old actor - who is best known for portraying Tyrion Lannister on the HBO series 'Game of Thrones' - stands at five feet four inches tall and whilst he had always wanted to perform, was "wary" that his height could hold him back.

Speaking on the 'Bullseye' podcast, he said: “I think it's in the DNA. I hear stories of people seeing a pretty girl and following them into an acting class and finding themselves but for me I just liked the...well, I'd been doing it since I was a little kid in school plays, writing plays and puppet shows.

"From day one, I just wanted to do that and as long as you get the encouragement from your parents or inspiring drama professors who see something that is sort of unique and worthwhile, that's gratifying.

"But I never knew that I would have any success at it. I always thought ambition was a foul word because it sort of meant that you'd do anything to get the part, like stab people in the back. I was wary of it because of my size. "

The Emmy Award-winning actor "didn't trust" that his size would allow him to pursue what he really wanted to, especially because the profession of acting relies so heavily on working with other people.

He added: "I didn't trust that it would allow me to do what I really what I wanted to do with it. We're so reliant on a collaboration, unlike a painter or a musician who can just play by themselves or paint by themselves. But when you find your tribe, that's what does it."