Obituaries
Verne Troyer, 'Austin Powers' Mini-Me, Dies At 49
The actor was hospitalized earlier this month.
Verne Troyer, the actor best known for playing Mini-Me in the "Austin Powers" movies, has died at 49, according to a statement posted to the actor's Instagram.
Troyer was hospitalized earlier this month and placed on a psychiatric hold following reports that he was suicidal. When he was hospitalized, a friend of Troyer's called the authorities, reporting that the actor was "extremely upset, drunk and suicidal," according to a TMZ report at the time.
The 49-year-old battled alcohol addiction for years.
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"Verne was an extremely caring individual," the statement posted to Instagram said. "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."
The statement said Troyer was a "fighter when it came to his own battles," and he struggled and won when it came to his own battles but "unfortunately this time was too much."
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"Depression and Suicide are very serious issues," the statement continued. "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."
Troyer had achondroplasia dwarfism and was under three feet tall, making him one of the shortest men in the world.
Other than his roles as Mini-Me in the "Austin Powers" movies, Troyer appeared in "Men In Black," "The Love Guru," and played Griphook the goblin in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
You can read the full statement 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. Photo by @paulmobleystudio
A post shared by Verne Troyer (@vernetroyer) on Apr 21, 2018 at 12:58pm PDT
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Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
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