Verne Troyer, best known for playing Dr. Evil’s sidekick Mini-Me in the Austin Powers franchise, died Saturday, according to multiple reports. Troyer was 49.
“Verne was an extremely caring individual,” said a statement shared to Troyer’s Instagram account. “He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible.”
Troyer’s representatives did not disclose a cause of death, but the statement described him as “a fighter when it came to his own battles.” Troyer was open about his struggle with alcoholism, and TMZ reports he went to rehab for alcohol abuse multiple times.
“Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much,” the statement added. “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.”
Following the final Austin Powers film in 2002, Troyer appeared in reality shows including Celebrity Juice, Celebrity Wife Swap, and The Surreal Life, plus comedy films like The Love Guru and Pauly Shore Is Dead.
For more information about suicide prevention or to speak with someone confidentially, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) or Samaritans (U.K.).
H/T Huffington Post
