Verne Troyer, best known for his role as Mini-Me in Austin Powers has passed away at the age of 49.

His family confirmed his death via Instagram saying Verne “was an extremely caring individual. He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible. Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message everyday.”

While no cause of death was revealed, his family wrote “Verne was also a fighter when it came to his own battles… Depression and Suicide are very serious issues. You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another.”

His Austin Powers co-star Mike Myers said in a statement, “Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who had the honor of working with him. It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place. He will be greatly missed.”

Troyer was best known for his work in the Austin Powers films as Mini-Me, but also had roles in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Love Guru, Bubble Boy and the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkmi_UTsjtE

 

In lieu of flowers, Troyer’s family asked that fans donate to two of Troyer’s favorite charities, the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Best Buddies.