Verne Troyer Dead at 49

The actor is known for playing Mini-Me in the 'Austin Powers' films.

Verne Troyer
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Image via Getty/Michael Buckner for Fight Night

Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer has died at the age of 49.

The news was confirmed on his Instagram on Saturday afternoon.

"It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today," read the post.

Earlier this month, TMZ reported that Troyer was rushed to the hospital after a report of him being drunk and suicidal. He was allegedly later treated for possible alcohol poisoning. The Instagram post also touched on his battles with depression.

"Verne was also a fighter when it came to his own battles. Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much," it read.

The family is asking to "have this time to grieve privately" while also telling others to pay attention to those who may be battling with mental illness. "Depression and Suicide are very serious issues," the statement read. "You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another. And always know, it’s never too late to reach out to someone for help."

Troyer is best known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers films as well as being one of the few successful actors with achondroplasia dwarfism. His last film credit is listed as Emperor Beezel-Chugg in Hipsters, Gangsters, Aliens and Geeks, which is set to be released later this year.

Instead of sending flowers, the family is asking fans and friends to donate in Verne's name to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, a nonprofit that provides hearing aids to those in need, and Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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