Verne Troyer

Verne J. Troyer (born January 1, 1969 in Sturgis, Michigan) is an American actor and stunt man who has appeared in several movies, mostly in non-speaking roles. He stands 81 centimetres (2 feet 8 inches) tall, making him the shortest actor in the trade. He is probably most well-known for his role as Mini-Me in Austin Powers.

Troyer grew up in Centreville, Michigan and graduated from Centreville High School in 1987. Prior to his stardom, he was employed by Sprint at their Texas facility as an inside wiring technician reporting to customer service. He also operated a candy wrapping machine in a candy making plant.

Troyer's most famous role is Mini-Me in the Austin Powers series of movies, a character who is supposed to be a miniature clone of Dr. Evil. He also appeared as Griphook in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Other notable roles include a part in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and as the small Circus Circus casino employee in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He was a series regular on the UPN comedy Shasta McNasty. As well, he played Napoleon Bonaparte in the short-lived syndicated series Jack of All Trades

Troyer appeared as himself in an Apple Computer commercial for its 12-inch and 17-inch PowerBooks, in which he used the larger computer and Chinese NBA star Yao Ming used the smaller one. He also appears in a 2006 Geico commercial.

He was married to Genevieve Gallen. Troyer filed for annulment on February 23, 2004 on the grounds of "unsound mind" and "fraud", even though he also claims that the couple were never married.

Troyer also appeared on VH1's 4th of season of The Surreal Life. Troyer's part on the show received much media attention when he became inebriated and urinated on the carpet.

On Christmas Eve 2005, Verne made an appearance alongside various other Hollywood celebrities on the British sitcom, Avid Merrion's XXXmas Special.

Troyer is a fixture at parties at the Playboy Mansion and often appears in photos with other celebrities and beautiful women in the Playboy party pictures section found at the beginning of the magazine.

Filmography

* Karroll's Christmas (2004) (TV) - Spike
* Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) - Mini Me
* Hard Cash (2002) (as Vern Troyer) - Attila
* Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) (as Vern Troyer) - Griphook the Goblin
* Bubble Boy (2001) - Dr. Phreak
* Jack of All Trades (2000) TV Series - Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte (2000)
* How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (as Verne J. Troyer) - Band Member
* Bit Players (2000) - Marty Rosenthal
* Mission: Imp (2000) (V) - Ethan Runt
* Shasta McNasty (1999) TV Series - Verne Valentine (1999-2000)
* Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) - Mini-Me
* Instinct (1999) - Gorilla Performer
* Here Lies Lonely (1999) - Virgil
* Mighty Joe Young (1998) (uncredited) - Baby Joe
* The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald: Scared Silly (1998) (V) - Sundae
* Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) (as Verne J. Troya) - Wee Waiter
* My Giant (1998) (uncredited) - Wrestler
* Wishmaster (1997) - Creature Stage #1
* Men in Black (film) (1997) - Alien Son
* Pinocchio's Revenge (1996) - Pinocchio Double
* Saban's Masked Rider (1995) - Ferbus (Suit Actor)