Lucy Liu, born on December 2, 1968, is an American actress known for her versatile career. The Trouble with Bliss actress stands at 5 feet 1 ½ inches (156.2 cm), although she has humorously claimed to be 5 feet 3 inches tall.
Despite her petite stature, Liu has achieved significant success in her acting career, earning accolades such as a Critics’ Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Seoul International Drama Award. She was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
In the photo below, where all three are wearing high heels, Drew Barrymore, at 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm), stands in the middle height-wise.
Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu reunite in effortlessly chic spring ensembles—Drew in a billowy printed maxi with sky-high platform heels, Cameron in a tailored blouse and jeans with strappy sandals, and Lucy in a floral satin gown paired with metallic peep-toe heels (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Petite Power: Lucy Liu’s Height, Shoe Size, and Style Tricks
Lucy Liu’s height is 5 feet 1 ½ inches (156.2 cm), which is shorter than the average height of an American woman, which is around 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm).
Lucy Liu’s shoe size in the US is 6. In other shoe size systems, her size is roughly equivalent to a 36.5 in European sizes, a 4.5 in the UK, and a 23 in Japan. Being petite, she often wears nude heels because they are versatile, flattering, and can elongate the legs.
Actress Lucy Liu flaunts her toned legs and fresh pedicure in leg-lengthening nude Jimmy Choo peep-toe pumps on the red carpet (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Lucy Liu’s Most Memorable Designer Heel Moments
From structured gowns to sleek minis, Lucy Liu consistently elevates her red carpet style with head-turning heels that speak to her refined yet daring aesthetic:
- For the 2014 Tony Awards, Liu stunned in a tuxedo-inspired Vivienne Westwood gown, grounded by Swarovski-embellished Nicholas Kirkwood sandals that added just the right touch of opulence.
- At the Broadway premiere of Hamilton, she paired her Monique Lhuillier Resort 2016 look with Stuart Weitzman’s ‘Bebare’ patent platform sandals in Adobe. This sleek choice echoed her minimalist-meets-modern vibe.
- During the Couture Council Award Luncheon, Lucy embraced classic glamour in a navy blue Carolina Herrera dress, offset by the simplicity of Saint Laurent’s signature ‘Jane’ ankle-strap sandals.
- Never one to shy away from bold prints, Liu arrived at PaleyFest in 2013 wearing a Roberto Cavalli dress with mixed patterns, accessorized with a glittering Jimmy Choo ‘Charlize’ clutch and her go-to Saint Laurent sandals, proving once again she’s mastered statement dressing with a sleek finish.
For more footwear inspiration, see how she styled a stunning yellow chiffon dress at the 2016 Tony Awards and Mary Jane pumps with a layered ruffle skirt at the world premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 3” in Los Angeles.
Lucy Liu appears noticeably petite next to Julia Fox and Callina Liang at the Presence premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on January 16, 2025, in New York City (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)
From Ally McBeal to Elementary: Liu’s Legacy of Scene-Stealing Performances
Liu has portrayed memorable characters in various TV series and films. Notable roles include Ling Woo in the television series “Ally McBeal” (1998–2002), Alex Munday in two “Charlie’s Angels” films (2000 and 2003), and Joan Watson in the crime-drama series “Elementary” (2012–2019).
Her filmography includes appearances in “Payback” (1999), “Shanghai Noon” (2000), “Chicago” (2002), “Kill Bill: Volume 1” (2003), “Lucky Number Slevin” (2006), “Watching the Detectives” (2007), “The Man with the Iron Fists” (2012), and “Set It Up” (2018).
In an iconic snowy showdown from Kill Bill: Volume 1, Lucy Liu’s O-Ren Ishii slices in an all-white kimono and traditional tabi shoes, while Uma Thurman’s The Bride strikes in her blood-streaked yellow tracksuit and Onitsuka Tiger sneakers
Liu has also lent her voice to animated characters, notably Master Viper in the Kung Fu Panda franchise (2008–2016) and Silvermist in the Tinker Bell series (2008–2014). Her voice credits extend to “Maya & Miguel” (2004–2007) and “Mulan II” (2004), as well as English and Mandarin-dubbed versions of “Magic Wonderland” (2014) and “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” (2013).
She recently voiced Callisto Mal in the Disney-animated film “Strange World” (2022). Additionally, Liu starred as Kalypso in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and directed the Disney show “American Born Chinese.”
Whether she’s commanding the screen or gracing the red carpet, Lucy Liu knows how to turn heads with her fashion-forward choices. One standout appearance that perfectly captured her signature mix of elegance and edge took place at PaleyFest in 2016.
Lucy Liu Dazzles in Red Lace Mini Dress at PaleyFest 2016
Lucy was spotted hitting the red carpet at the 2016 PaleyFest at the Paley Center in New York.
She was already in her fifth season of “Elementary” in 2016, as the show debuted in 2012. The television series, with Lucy playing the role of Dr. Joan Watson, had just started its new season at the beginning of that year, leading the entire cast to ramp up their promotional efforts.
Lucy Liu looked stunning in a red lace mini dress by Monique Lhuillier at the 2016 PaleyFest New York screening of “Elementary” at the Paley Center for Media in New York City on October 8, 2016 (Credit: Dennis Van Tine / FutureImage / WENN)
Lucy wore a red lace mini dress from Monique Lhuillier, which showed off her slim legs and highlighted her toned physique.
The actress styled her look with a Jimmy Choo clutch, jewelry from Pasquale Bruni, and a pair of Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals in glitter.
Lucy Liu shows off her feet in Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals (Credit: Dennis Van Tine / FutureImage / WENN)
Overall, we think Lucy looks excellent. Her skin is glowing, her hair is in place, and we can only guess how many hours she spends in the gym.
Her outfit, however, is a bit too prom for us. The sad part is that Lucy can pull off a bit more risky outfits.
Lucy Liu turns heads in a strapless red lace Monique Lhuillier dress, styled with glittering Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals and a gold clutch at PaleyFest New York (Credit: Dennis Van Tine / FutureImage / WENN)
Prom look aside, Lucy absolutely nailed her promotional run for Elementary, thanks in part to the chemistry and energy of the show’s cast. She even shared a photo from the press conference with the playful caption, “Proud to be with my WERK squad.”
We can attest that Lucy’s “werk” has carried their show this far. Now, all she needs is that outfit with an oomph. Shop the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals on Amazon, Nordstrom, and Zappos.
Stuart Weitzman “Nudistsong” Dress Sandal, $172.43 – $435