Sacha Baron Cohen, the comedian best known for his satirical characters like Borat and Ali G, has revealed that his height once stood in the way of a culinary career. The 54-year-old London-born actor, who stands at approximately 190.5-191cm (6ft 3in), says he was told he was 'too tall' to become a chef.
In an interview with The New York Times, Baron Cohen explained that as a teenager he approached renowned chef Raymond Blanc for a job at his Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. Blanc declined, saying the actor's height was unsuitable for kitchen work. 'He said I was too tall to work in the kitchen, and then I gave up my dream of becoming a chef,' Baron Cohen recalled.
Blanc later responded on social media, expressing doubt that he had 'broken' Baron Cohen's dreams and inviting him for a trial. Baron Cohen, who is much taller than his ex-wife Isla Fisher (5ft 2in), is currently starring in Netflix's comedy film Ladies First, where he plays a womanising billionaire transported to a matriarchal world.
The actor recently underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his role as Mephisto in Marvel's Ironheart, posting a shirtless photo on Instagram with the caption: 'Hard launching my mid-life crisis.' The image went viral, with fans reacting in surprise.
Ladies First has climbed to the top of Netflix's charts despite mixed critical reception, with some viewers calling it 'incredible' and others deeming it a 'ridiculous waste of time'.
