Verne Troyer January 1 1969 April 21 2018 was an actor best known for his role as MiniMe Dr Evils 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 9monthold baby on a film called Babys Day Out 1994 Over the next few years Verne made several film and television appearances often portraying animals or small children