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MIKE Myers has fought back tears as he paid an emotional tribute to Verne Troyer, calling him a "fantastic human being".

The duo starred together in Austin Powers movies where the late Verne, 49, played 'Mini-Me.'

Mike Myers got emotional discussing his old pal Verne Troyer in an interview
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Mike Myers got emotional discussing his old pal Verne Troyer in an interviewCredit: ABC

Mike was devastated when his Austin Power's co-star Verne Troyer passed away on April 21, 2018, of a "potential suicide" after a "very high" amount of alcohol was found in his system.

The 54-year-old actor got teary when talking about his late friend - who suffered from depression - on Jimmy Kimmell's US chat show.

He said: "Verne was a fantastic human being.

"I worked with him for a long time. I always just want to make that point that, as written, Mini-Me is almost a prop. But he brought it up off the page, made it better than written and we ended up giving him more and more stuff to do."

The iconic duo lit up the screens with their double act
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The iconic duo lit up the screens with their double actCredit: Alamy
Mike and Verne were a hit in their comedy movies
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Mike and Verne were a hit in their comedy moviesCredit: Getty - Contributor

Verne played Mini-Me in two of the three Austin Powers films.

Verne was approximately 2 feet, 8 inches tall due to a rare form of dwarfism called Cartilage-hair hypoplasia.

Mike revealed that his friend was not expected to live past his teens as he paid tribute to his fighting spirit.

Mike said: "He died at 49, he wasn't supposed to live past his teens."

Mike was tearful when discussing his friend who died last month
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Mike was tearful when discussing his friend who died last monthCredit: ABC
Mike revealed Verne was not expected to live past his teens
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Mike revealed Verne was not expected to live past his teensCredit: ABC

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He added: "Verne was very small. And every day you'd see him you'd go 'wow that is a small human,' but at the end of the day you just saw Verne."

Troyer broke into the acting business as a baby stunt double and went on to play in more than 50 films.

According to his reps, Verne was battling depression prior to his passing.

They said in a statement: "Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much."

"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.'

  • If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800. 
Verne Troyer dead at 49 - Austin Power’s Mini Me actor passes away

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