Verne Troyer

Birthday: 1 January 1969, Sturgis, Michigan, USA

Height: 81 cm

Verne Troyer is best known for his role as "Mini-Me," Dr. Evil's smaller and more concentrated pure evil protégé, in the hit comedy Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Even though Verne has become recognized as a "Big Man in the business," he has been working in show business as an actor and stuntman for several years. Troyer, born in Sturgis, Michigan, had always dreamed growing up of getting into showbiz. Shortly after his high school graduation in 1987, Verne moved with some friends to Arlington, Texas, where, in 1993, he got his first break into showbiz as a stunt double for a 9-month-old baby on a film called Baby's Day Out (1994). Over the next few years, Verne made several film and television appearances, often portraying animals or small children. Show less «

In high school and college all my friends and my brother wrestled.

If I did everything, I probably wouldn't be here talking to you. There aren't too many people who ca...Show more »

If I did everything, I probably wouldn't be here talking to you. There aren't too many people who can actually double me, so I do most of my stunts though. Show less «

I was just the perfect person to play the Mini-Me character.

I can play the leading man. I can play the action hero, maybe in just a different way. I look at it ...Show more »

I can play the leading man. I can play the action hero, maybe in just a different way. I look at it as, you know, if you set your mind to it, you can do it. Show less «

Doing stunt work is risky, but it's something I enjoy.

In the film, I'm not very mobile, like in the space suit.

Me being able to beat up Austin Powers? I mean, how great can that be?

L.A. is so fake - girls there are so superficial.

I grew up in Michigan, in a very small town, Centreville. In my graduating class, I had like 92 peop...Show more »

I grew up in Michigan, in a very small town, Centreville. In my graduating class, I had like 92 people. Show less «

We were doing the dance routine and I dislocated my knee. I've been doing stunts for a long time and...Show more »

We were doing the dance routine and I dislocated my knee. I've been doing stunts for a long time and it's kind of weird that I'd dislocate my knee just dancing. Show less «

I felt probably more uncomfortable than Beyonce. But I can't answer for her.

I think when average-size people start taking roles that were meant for dwarfs, that's a little frus...Show more »

I think when average-size people start taking roles that were meant for dwarfs, that's a little frustrating because there aren't that many roles out there for height-challenged actors. Show less «

I still pinch myself that I ended up in Hollywood. And I am still surprised at the fans.

There's times when you're having dinner with a good friend and you're in the middle of a conversatio...Show more »

There's times when you're having dinner with a good friend and you're in the middle of a conversation and somebody comes up and cuts you off. Can you sign this? Can I take a picture with you? I'm adjusting to all the attention. Show less «

There's nobody else that can double me - except for a doll.

I was working at a candy-wrapping factory before I became an actor. I admit I snuck some hard candy,...Show more »

I was working at a candy-wrapping factory before I became an actor. I admit I snuck some hard candy, which is great because you can suck on it while you're working. Show less «

In Men in Black, it was a very small character, no pun intended.

I'll be one of the Who's of Whoville.

I think it was a good challenge for me to get my reactions across without being able to speak.

I'm a big sports fan. College football is my favorite.

The Amish like to live a very plain lifestyle, the way they think God intended. It sort of brings yo...Show more »

The Amish like to live a very plain lifestyle, the way they think God intended. It sort of brings you back to, like, 'Little House on the Prairie' days or something. Show less «

People have a good time with all the catch phrases.

Now I get to pick and choose exactly what I want to do.

I love London. I would move here. I like British people; everybody is so down to earth.

It's hard for me to even watch comedies I'm in.

I just take it one day at a time. Austin Powers has given me a lot of opportunities as far as my car...Show more »

I just take it one day at a time. Austin Powers has given me a lot of opportunities as far as my career. Show less «

I went to see the film with a regular audience for the first time on Sunday, and was basically swamp...Show more »

I went to see the film with a regular audience for the first time on Sunday, and was basically swamped. Show less «

I've done approximately 15 films, and most of the things I've done have either been stunt or costume...Show more »

I've done approximately 15 films, and most of the things I've done have either been stunt or costume work. Show less «

I stay away from the elf roles; I stay away from playing a leprechaun. All the roles I try to do are...Show more »

I stay away from the elf roles; I stay away from playing a leprechaun. All the roles I try to do are something that an average actor would do. Show less «

Between takes I asked Vern how tall he is and he said "I'm 32 inches tall but if you ask me how tall...Show more »

Between takes I asked Vern how tall he is and he said "I'm 32 inches tall but if you ask me how tall I am I'll tell you 'I'm two foot eight!' because it sounds bigger." (said with a wry grin in the mid-1990s) Show less «

What I really enjoy the most is seeing what the crowd likes. I enjoy making people laugh.