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'Austin Powers' star Verne Troyer dead at 49

The news come weeks after Troyer was hospitalized after an undisclosed medical emergency.
Credit: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images
Verne Troyer arrives at Best Buddies Miami Gala 2015 at Ice Palace on November 20, 2015 in Miami, Florida.

Verne Troyer, the actor best known for playing Mini Me in the Austin Powers movies, has died at 49, his representative confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY Saturday.

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

It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today. 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. He inspired people around the world with his drive, determination, and attitude. On film & television sets, commercial shoots, at comic-con’s & personal appearances, to his own YouTube videos, he was there to show everyone what he was capable of doing. Even though his stature was small and his parents often wondered if he’d be able to reach up and open doors on his own in his life, he went on to open more doors for himself and others than anyone could have imagined. He also touched more peoples hearts than he will ever know. 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. During this recent time of adversity he was baptized while surrounded by his family. The family appreciates that they have this time to grieve privately. Depression and Suicide are very serious issues. 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. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Verne’s name to either of his two favorite charities; The Starkey Hearing Foundation and Best Buddies. Photo by @paulmobleystudio

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The statement continued to describe Troyer as an "extremely caring individual" who wanted to make everybody "smile, be happy and laugh."

The cause of death is still unknown, but the statement hints that it was due to "his own battles."

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

The news come weeks after Troyer was hospitalized after an undisclosed medical emergency. However, TMZ and The Blast both reported that it was alcohol-related.

Troyer has been frank about his struggles with alcohol addiction, which was documented by VH1's The Surreal Life in 2005. His current hospitalization came almost exactly a year after he told fans he was about to voluntarily check into a rehab clinic.

The statement continued, "During this recent time of adversity he was baptized while surrounded by his family. The family appreciates that they have this time to grieve privately."

The family also asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Verne's name to either of his two favorite charities; The Starkey Hearing Foundation and Best Buddies.

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