Source: Palm Beach Pulse
Verne Troyer has played some man-sized roles even though he remains best known as Mini-Me for his hysterical scene-stealing performances in the Austin Powers movies. Now, he’s co-starring in Terry Gilliam’s The Imagination of Dr. Parnassus, the film that Heath Ledger sadly never finished.
Parade.com’s Jeanne Wolf found out why Troyer will never forget the star who died so tragically–and learns a bit more about the 32-inch-tall actor’s humble (and sweet) beginnings.
Remembering Heath Ledger.
“I just think of having dinner with him and being able to talk to him and being surprised that he was really open and down to earth. He was a kind, giving person, even on set. And he had huge enthusiasm, which was sort of contagious.”
Carrying on.
“I actually didn’t even really think about whether we’d ever go back into production after his death. My first thoughts were with his family. I just thought it was impossible that he was gone. Then, when Terry Gilliam sort of recovered, he talked to us about not quitting. I think we all came together as a group, as a family you know, to finish it for Heath. Johnny Depp just stepped in and went to work. I think he wanted to honor Heath. And he gave all the money he was paid to Heath’s child as did Colin Farrell and Jude Law.”
If you think his character is a little nasty…
“There is a lot of me in Percy, the assistant to Dr. Parnassus. I can be a little sarcastic and even a little sadistic sometimes, just like him. I like to have fun so you know when I’m sarcastic it’s usually trying to be funny. It’s a good way to make people laugh sometimes.”
Ready for bigger roles.
“I can play the leading man. I can play the action hero, maybe in just a different way. I look at it as, you know, if you set your mind to it, you can do it. And I’m just trying to show people that I’m more than Mini-Me, even though I loved playing him and I’d do him again in a minute if Mike Meyers asked me. The only part that I don’t really like is when a person sees me on the street they say, ‘Mini-me, I’m your greatest fan.’ And it’s like, ‘If you’re my greatest fan you should know my name.’”
Talk about coming a long way.
“I was working at a candy-wrapping factory before I became an actor. I admit I snuck some hard candy, which is great because you can suck on it while you’re working. You had to be careful of the chocolate though, because you can’t hide that too well. I still pinch myself that I ended up in Hollywood. And I am still surprised at the fans. I went to Thailand recently and I was amazed at how many people recognized me.”
Taking on the Internet.
“I’ve launched a new Web site, vernetroyer.com. It’s linked to a social networking site called Looking Up, which is similar to Facebook. I get to chat with people that like my movies and just stay in touch with fans. I’m also in the beginning stage of writing a book. It’s going to be an autobiography about how I grew up.”
So what will we read that would surprise us?
“I used to be Amish. I had to stay a lot with my grandparents or aunts and uncles who are Amish, so I was sort of partially Amish. When I go back there now I still get into that culture. I can drive a horse and buggy because they don’t use cars. And, of course, there’s no electricity. I respect them a lot. The Amish like to live a very plain lifestyle, the way they think God intended. It sort of brings you back to like Little House on the Prairie days or something.”
What gave him the boost to succeed.
“My parents are the ones that gave me the opportunity to be able to be here and do what I’m doing. They always taught me that you can do anything you set your mind to. My whole family is average size. I have an older brother and a younger sister and, basically, they didn’t treat me any different. I had to do everything that they did. So I learned that you need to stay optimistic, stay positive. I still believe that. Hollywood’s a tough, tough business.”
