Verne Jay Troyer | Alcohol Poisoning Death

Actor Verne Troyer was well-known for his role as Mini-Me in the second and third Austin Power films, but many didn’t know of his issues with alcohol abuse and depression. 

Troyer’s addiction to alcohol, as well as depression and suicidal ideation, is what ultimately lead to his death in 2018.

About Verne Jay Troyer

Verne Jay Troyer was born on January 1, 1969 in Sturgis, Michigan to Susan and Reuben Troyer. His mother was a factory worker and his father was a mechanic.

He was born with a rare form of dwarfism called cartilage-hair hypoplasia and stopped growing at 2 feet 8 inches. 

Acting Career

Troyer’s Hollywood acting career began when the director of Little People of America contacted him to be a stunt double for an infant in the 1994 John Hughes’ film Baby’s Day Out. From there, he received more stunt double roles until he booked his first movie in 1996 in Pinnochio’s Revenge.

Troyer achieved world-wide fame as Mini-Me in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember. He also played Griphook in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Troyer can also be seen in The Love Guru, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Men In Black, Mighty Joe Young, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Keith Lemon: The Film, and Hard Cash.

He also made regular appearances on TV shows like Celebrity Juice, Celebrity Wife Swap, and Celebrity Big Brother on the BBC.

Troyer won an MTV Award for Best On-Screen Duo in 2000 for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me along with his co-star Mike Myers. He also won an MTV TRL Award. 

How Did Verne Jay Troyer Die?

Verne Troyer’s death occurred on April 21, 2018, at a hospital in Van Nuys, California. He was 49 years old. 

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office, Verne Troyer’s cause of death was suicide due to alcohol intoxication or a “sequelae of alcohol intoxication.” His blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit at the time of his death.

He originally called 911 on April 3, 2018, saying he wanted to die. Troyer was then taken to the hospital with alcohol intoxication. It took three weeks until he was officially pronounced dead. 

Verne Jay Troyer’s History of Substance Abuse

Troyer dealt with alcohol addiction for many years and spoke about his struggle multiple times in interviews and on social media. He also appeared in many tabloids due to the behavior that resulted from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Additionally, in 2002, he almost died of alcohol poisoning after going through a breakup. In 2005, there was a video of him intoxicated on the VH1 reality series, The Surreal Life, that was then spread across the internet.

His alcohol abuse and addiction continued until his death in 2018.

Did Verne Troyer Attend Addiction Treatment?

By 2016, Troyer had gone to rehab two times for alcohol abuse. While he said he was sober, he admitted that he still drank occasionally. Along with substance use disorder, Troyer also struggled with depression and suicidal ideation.

He went to addiction treatment again a year before his death in April of 2017. The co-occurring disorders of alcohol addiction and depression may have been what ultimately led to his manner of death.

Recovery Is Possible

If you live with alcohol addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Recovery is possible with the help of addiction specialists and a customized treatment plan that fits your specific needs. 

For information on our inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment and mental health services, please contact us today.