The actor best known for his fun-sized character "Mini-Me" in the Austin Powers movies died Saturday at the age of 49. A statement announced the passing of Verne Troyer on his official Instagram account. "It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today," the statement said.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh2FcndHgkC/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.5% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh2FcndHgkC/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">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></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vernetroyer/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Verne Troyer</a> (@vernetroyer) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-04-21T19:58:50+00:00">Apr 21, 2018 at 12:58pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
Related coverage: <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/23619-Breaking-Swedish-DJ-Avicii-Dead-At-28">Breaking: Swedish DJ Avicii Dead At 28</a>
The cause and location of his death were not mentioned in the post but the statement included some clues that shed some light on Troyer's passing. "Depression and suicide are very serious issues. You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another."
The statement added, "During this recent time of adversity, he was baptized while surrounded by his family." Troyer was best known for his role as "Mini-Me" alongside Mike Myers in the Austin Powers movies which launched him into a pop-culture phenomenon. Troyer played the miniature clone and sidekick of the film's villain Dr. Evil in two of the three Austin Powers movies.
Related coverage: <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/23734-George-H-W-Bush-Can-t-Let-Go-Of-Barbara-Just-Yet">George H.W. Bush Can’t Let Go Of Barbara Just Yet</a>
He starred as "Mini-Me" in 1999s "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and 2002s "Austin Powers in Goldmember". Troyer also had roles in 2001s "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and another film with Mike Meyers in 2008 called "The Love Guru." A number of actors paid tribute to Troyer on Twitter after learning of his passing Saturday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So sad to read of the passing of Verne Troyer. A lovely smile with a caring and big heart, he helped raise money on behalf of <a href="https://twitter.com/starkeycares?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@starkeycares</a> for free hearing aids for deaf and hard of hearing people. RIP <a href="https://t.co/pgA91tWPo6">pic.twitter.com/pgA91tWPo6</a></p>— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarleeMatlin/status/987795490266759168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In memory of Verne Troyer (aka Mini-Me from ‘Austin Powers')… <a href="https://t.co/BDOYYRNmp2">pic.twitter.com/BDOYYRNmp2</a></p>— Dave Vescio (@DaveVescio) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveVescio/status/987822502918242304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Mike Meyers, Troyer's costar in the Austin Powers films and The Love Guru, released a statement saying, "Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who had the honor of working with him. It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place. He will be greatly missed."
<i>On Twitter:</i>
<a href="https://twitter.com/MAGASyndicate">@MAGASyndicate</a>
Tips? Info? Send me a message!
Source: http://abc13.com/entertainment/verne-troyer-best-known-as-mini-me-in-austin-powers-has-died/3375895/
Twitter: #RIP #VerneTroyer #MiniMe #AustinPowers #MikeMeyers
