Verne Troyer, who played the character Mini-Me in two of the Austin Powers spy action comedy films, died April 21, 2018. The actor, just 2 ft. 8 in. tall, was 49.
Troyer’s Facebook page posted the news that afternoon:
“It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today.”
According to a TMZ story, Troyer “was on some form of life support since being taken to the hospital earlier this month after… a report he was drunk and suicidal.”
The website noted that Troyer “had struggled with alcoholism for years and had been to rehab many times.” His death was later ruled a suicide.
Troyer was born with a genetic disorder known as achondroplasia dwarfism.
He made his mark in 1999’s Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, the second in the Mike Myers series and reprised his role in the third edition, 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember. In the films, Troyer played Mini-Me, a clone of Myers’ Dr. Evil character.
Watch several scenes from The Spy Who Shagged Me
The post on Troyer’s Facebook page noted: “He inspired people around the world with his drive, determination, and attitude. On film & television sets, commercial shoots, at comic-con’s & personal appearances, to his own YouTube videos, he was there to show everyone what he was capable of doing. Even though his stature was small and his parents often wondered if he’d be able to reach up and open doors on his own in his life, he went on to open more doors for himself and others than anyone could have imagined. He also touched more peoples hearts than he will ever know.
“Verne was also a fighter when it came to his own battles. Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much.
“During this recent time of adversity he was baptized while surrounded by his family. The family appreciates that they have this time to grieve privately.
“Depression and Suicide are very serious issues. You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another. And always know, it’s never too late to reach out to someone for help.”
Watch the Austin Powers in Goldmember trailer
Watch Myers and Troyer in a memorable Goldmember scene
Troyer was born January 1, 1969. He appeared in dozens of movies including 1996’s Jingle All the Way, and 1997’s Men in Black, 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Related: Full Metal Jacket actor R. Lee Ermey died in the same week
Much of the Austin Powers cast reunited for a TV spot for General Motors that ran during the Super Bowl in 2022.
