VERNE JAY TROYER
Date of Birth: January 1, 1969
Born in Sturgis, Michigan, Troyer, who measures up at two feet, eight
inches, started working as a telephone operator. He then joined the customer
service department of a phone company. He began working in the film industry
as a stunt double. His first film was Baby's Day Out (1994) followed by
Jingle All The Way (1996) where he wrestles Arnold Schwarznegger as a small
Santa, and My Giant (1998).
His experience in stunt work paid off when he joined the cast of Austin
Powers, The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999). Originally, the film's director Jay Roach, and Mike Myers didn't believe they would be able to find a little
person small enough to play Mini-Me and at one point even considered casting
a child. Then the film's casting directors talked to a friend who was a
producer of a McDonald's video series in which Troyer played a dog. The
producer suggested that the casting directors and Roach meet Troyer.
Troyer's Mini-Me was originally only supposed to be a bit part, but Roach
soon discovered Troyer's talents in action, improvising and acting. "They
saw what I was able to do in the film and just expanded my character so much
because they liked what I was able to do."
With the success of the Austin Powers film, Troyer became an instant
celebrity with fans and Hollywood opportunities falling at his
feet. He soon found work in such big budget films as How the Grinch Stole
Christmas (2000), Bubble Boy (2001), and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's
Stone (2001), as well as returning to the Mini-Me character in the third
instalment of the Austin Powers films, Goldmember (2002).
Troyer has also done work for television, including regular roles
as Ferbus Stunts in Masked Rider, and Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte in Jack of
All Trades. He has also made numerous guest appearances on the series Young
Hercules, V.I.P., and Freedom.
FILMOGRAPHY:
You'll Never Wiez in This Town Again (2002)
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Run for the Money (2002)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
Bubble Boy (2001)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Bit Players (2000)
Here Lies Lonely (1999)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Instinct (1999)
mighty joe young (1998) (uncredited)
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)
My Giant (1998) (uncredited)
Wishmaster (1997)
Men in Black (1997)
Pinocchio's Revenge (1996)