Carice Van Houten’s Feet: 7 Surprising Facts About Her Shoe Size, Iconic Roles, And 2024 Projects

Carice van Houten, the Dutch actress globally renowned for her mesmerizing portrayal of Melisandre, the Red Woman, in HBO’s *Game of Thrones*, has captivated audiences with her powerful on-screen presence and distinctive European elegance. Beyond the fiery sermons and mysterious shadow-binding of Westeros, the personal details of the actress—including her physical attributes and style—are a frequent source of curiosity for her vast international fanbase, especially as she embarks on new, high-profile projects in 2024.

This deep dive into Carice van Houten’s career and physical profile, updated for the current date, December 17, 2025, explores the intersection of her celebrated acting work and the specific details that define her public image. From her record-breaking success in Dutch cinema to her confirmed shoe size, we provide the definitive breakdown of the woman behind some of modern television’s most iconic characters, focusing on the subtle yet significant details of her physical presentation.

Carice van Houten: A Full Biography and Career Overview

Carice Anouk van Houten is one of the Netherlands' most decorated and internationally recognized actresses. Her career trajectory is marked by critical acclaim and a seamless transition from award-winning European cinema to major Hollywood and prestige television productions.

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• Full Name: Carice Anouk van Houten
• Date of Birth: September 5, 1976
• Age: 49 (as of late 2025)
• Place of Birth: Leiderdorp, Netherlands
• Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
• Partner: Guy Pearce (since 2015, with whom she has a son, Monte)
• Breakthrough Role: Suzy Q (1999), for which she won her first Golden Calf Award.
• International Acclaim: *Black Book* (2006), directed by Paul Verhoeven, which became the most commercially successful Dutch film of all time.
• Most Famous Role: Melisandre, the Red Woman, in *Game of Thrones* (2012–2019).
• Major Awards: A record-breaking 5 Golden Calf Awards for Best Actress, a Saturn Award nomination for *Valkyrie* (2008), and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for *Game of Thrones*.
• Other Notable Films: *Valkyrie* (2008), *Repo Men* (2010), *The Fifth Estate* (2013).
• Advocacy: She serves as an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The Physical Profile: Carice van Houten’s Feet and Shoe Size

The specific dimensions of a celebrity’s physical profile often become a point of public fascination, and Carice van Houten is no exception. Her height of 5 ft 6 in is considered average, but her consistent elegance on the red carpet draws attention to her overall stature and footwear choices.

Fact 1: Her Confirmed Shoe Size is US 7

Multiple reputable sources confirm Carice van Houten's shoe size. The actress wears a US women's size 7.

This size is equivalent to a European size 37.5 or 38, placing her in a moderate range. This detail is often noted by fashion commentators who track her red carpet looks, where her footwear selection is critical to completing her sophisticated, often avant-garde ensembles.

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Fact 2: The Focus on Footwear in Her High-Fashion Looks

Carice van Houten’s style is frequently praised for its blend of classic glamour and modern edge. She has been featured in major fashion campaigns, including one for Valentino, indicating her status as a style icon. On the red carpet, she often opts for high-end designer shoes, such as strappy silver heels, which are frequently photographed in detail by the press.

These choices are a deliberate part of her public persona, contrasting sharply with the heavy, restrictive costumes of her most famous character, Melisandre.

Fact 3: The Contrast Between Melisandre’s Robes and Her Real-Life Style

The character of Melisandre is rarely seen in exposed footwear, typically shrouded in voluminous red robes that symbolize her devotion to the Lord of Light. These costumes, while visually stunning, were often physically demanding for Van Houten. In one interview, she mentioned the thin material of the dress, noting that she "couldn't put any thermal underwear on" in the cold filming locations, highlighting the physical discomfort that the dramatic costumes demanded for the sake of the character's mystique.

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This professional dedication to the role’s aesthetic—where comfort is sacrificed for character—underscores the difference between her real-life fashion, which often features elegant, open-toe shoes, and the demanding physicality of her acting work.

2024 and Beyond: The Latest Projects and Physicality in New Roles

Carice van Houten’s post-*Game of Thrones* career is marked by a focus on compelling, psychologically complex roles, which will undoubtedly continue to draw attention to her commanding screen presence.

Fact 4: Starring in the Amazon Psychological Thriller, *Malice*

One of her most anticipated projects is the Amazon Prime Video psychological thriller series, *Malice*. Announced with great fanfare in 2024, the series co-stars David Duchovny and Jack Whitehall.

In *Malice*, Van Houten is set to portray the wife of Duchovny’s character, Jamie Tanner. While plot details remain tightly guarded, the psychological thriller genre often relies on intense performances and specific, deliberate visual presentation. Her role as a modern woman in a high-stakes scenario will likely showcase a contemporary style that is a world away from the mystical Melisandre, offering new opportunities for her fashion and footwear to be on display.

Fact 5: The Intimate Drama of *A Family*

In addition to her international work, Van Houten is returning to her roots with the Dutch-Belgian drama film, *A Family*, directed by Mees Peijnenburg.

Described as a deeply personal and intimate portrait, this film will allow Van Houten to delve into a character study that is often more grounded and emotionally raw than her blockbuster roles. Such roles, focusing on character vulnerability and realism, often require subtle physical acting, where every detail, from posture to simple movements, is magnified. Her command of her physical presence, honed over decades of award-winning work, will be central to the performance.

Fact 6: The ‘Straightening Back’ of Character

The actress has spoken candidly about how getting into character affects her physical bearing. She once described the process of transformation, stating, "I feel like my back is straightening when I get into character." This quote perfectly encapsulates the power she brings to her roles, where the physical posture and demeanor—from her head to her feet—are integral to embodying a character's strength, whether it’s the rigid power of Melisandre or the intense focus required for her role as Nazi film director Leni Riefenstahl in the film *Race*.

Fact 7: A Legacy of Physical Transformation and Critical Acclaim

Carice van Houten's five Golden Calf Awards are a testament to her versatility and skill in physical acting. Her breakout role in *Black Book* (2006) as the Jewish singer Rachel Stein, which involved significant physical and emotional transformation, cemented her status as a powerhouse performer. This legacy of embodying complex, physically demanding roles is what truly defines her career, making the curiosity about her physical details like her shoe size a small part of a much larger, more impressive narrative of a world-class actress.

Conclusion: Beyond the Red Robes

Carice van Houten continues to be one of the most compelling figures in modern cinema and television. While fan curiosity often focuses on specific physical details, such as her confirmed US size 7 feet, the true measure of her influence lies in her extraordinary body of work. From the Dutch stage to the global phenomenon of *Game of Thrones* and her exciting new ventures like the thriller *Malice* and the drama *A Family*, her career is a masterclass in professional versatility. She is an actress who uses her entire physical presence—from her posture to her perfectly chosen red carpet shoes—to convey power, mystery, and profound humanity, solidifying her status as a true screen legend.