Starring as Papa Elf in the 2003 film, Newhart had to appear much shorter than his adoptive son, Buddy, which entailed standing several feet away from ... Learn more. An icon in the shape of ...

while I sat 10 feet behind him,” Newhart recounted. “They had an actor directly behind Will who was hidden, but his hands on Will’s shoulders. This made it look like I was Elf sized.” ...

To this day, all that moviemaking magic has confused even the biggest “Elf” aficionados. “When fans find out I’m taller than 3 feet and 2 inches, they feel cheated,” Newhart laughed.