Verne Troyer, Mini-Me in ‘Austin Powers,’ Dies at 49
Courtesy
of http://variety.com/2018/film/news/verne-troyer-dead-dies-mini-me-austin-powers-1202778757/
Announcement on his facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/vernetroyer/posts/10155578629066647
Verne
Troyer, the actor best known for playing Mini-Me in the Austin Power films and
one of the shortest men in the world, has died. He was 49.
The news
was announced in a post to his official Facebook page.
“It is
with great sadness and incredible heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away
today,” the statement reads. “Verne was an extremely caring individual…[he]
hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards
spreading that message everyday.”
In
addition to his credits in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” and “Austin
Power in Goldmember,” Troyer also acted in the first Harry Potter film as
Griphook the goblin. He had more than 25 other film credits to his name,
including roles in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “The Love Guru,” and “The
Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.”
Born January 1, 1969 in Michigan, Troyer was raised in the Amish faith for a
time, but his parents eventually left the religion. He graduated from
Centreville High School in 1987.
Troyer’s
unusual height of 2’8″ was a result of achondroplasia dwarfism. He
has stated that his parents “never treated me any different than my other
average-sized siblings. I used to have to carry wood, feed the cows and pigs
and farm animals.”
Read the
full announcement of Troyer’s death below.
“It is with great sadness and incredibly
heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today.
Verne was an extremely caring individual. He
wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would
help to any extent possible. Verne hoped he made a positive change with the
platform he had and worked towards spreading that message everyday.
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.
In lieu
of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Verne’s name to either of his
two favorite charities; The Starkey Hearing Foundation and Best Buddies.”
