Verne Troyer, Mini-Me From ‘Austin Powers,’ Dies at 49

Verne Troyer, best known for his role as Mini-Me in the “Austin Powers” movies, has died at 49. A message posted on the actor’s Facebook and Instagram pages confirms his passing and mentions the battles he’s fought throughout life, noting that “unfortunately this time was too much.” He had been hospitalized earlier this month.

“It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today,” the message reads. “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.”

It continues, “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.”

In a potential indication of how Troyer passed, the statement mentions depression and suicide. “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.”

The message also mentions Troyer’s two favorite charities, the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Best Buddies.

In addition to “Austin Powers,” Troyer was known for his performances in “Men in Black,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Born January 1, 1969 in Sturgis, Michigan, Troyer grew up Amish but, according to a reddit AMA he conducted in in 2014, his parents left the religion when he was a child. Asked who his role models were during the same question-and-answer session, he responded, “My parents. They 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.”

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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