‘Mini-Me’ star dead at 49

ACTOR Verne Troyer from the Austin Powers movie franchise has died.

A statement provided by Troyer’s spokesperson said the 49-year-old actor died on Saturday. No cause or place of death was given, but the statement discusses depression and suicide, and Troyer had publicly discussed struggling with alcohol addiction. He lived in Los Angeles.

Troyer became a celebrity after starring alongside Mike Myers as “Mini-Me”, the clone and sidekick of villain Dr Evil, in two of the three Austin Powers films.