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Verne Troyer exploded onto the national stage in a big way in 1999 after his star-making turn as Mini-Me in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." After his tragic death on Saturday at just 49 years old, his co-star Mike Myers joined celebrities and fans alike in paying tribute to the star.
"Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who had the honor of working with him," Myers said in a statement received by Entertainment Tonight. "It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place. He will be greatly missed."
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View StoryIt's easy to forget what a cultural phenomenon the "Austin Powers" films were in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but the juggernaut success of the franchise made Troyer a worldwide phenomenon. The actor returned for the third film in the series, enjoying a role as Griphook the Goblin in the first "Harry Potter" film in between turns as Dr. Evil's diminutive clone. Troyer was 2'9" tall and his size fed much of the humor in the "Austin Power" films.
The actor would continue his work in film and television until his death; he has an upcoming film currently in post-production so fans will get the chance to see him at least one more time. Aside from his acting work in films like "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" and shows like "Boston Public," Troyer found a second career simply by playing himself.
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View StoryHe has appeared in multiple reality shows throughout the 2000s, including "The Girls Next Door," "The Surreal Life," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," "Celebrity Wife Swap." He even got involved with the WWE and competed in the UK version of "Celebrity Big Brother," where he came in fourth place.
Below are some of the most touching tributes from Hollywood and beyond on the passing of Verne Troyer:
