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Perhaps Mini-Me completes Dr. Evil in this summer's second biggest blockbuster, "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," but in truth, the same can't be said for the actor who plays him, Verne Troyer. Even though he's received raves as the one-eighth scale clone of Mike Myers' evil alter ego, this mini movie maestro says his career is far from "complete."
But let's talk about "Austin" first. Simply put, Troyer is not only an actor in a high profile movie - he's a cultural phenomenon. Is it too soon to bestow him with that title? Hardly. First, consider his memorable role in the film, which has helped propel it ever so close to the $200 million box office mark. Second, ask any of the thousands of frenzied-fans why they have flocked to meet the 2-foot-8-inch Troyer in person on his recent tour of the General Cinema theater chain across the U.S.
The height of this man is irrelevant. Anyway you size him up, he is big. And while he is obviously aware of all of the attention, Troyer is doing his best to remain humble.
"Every thing is so wild and crazy now -- I've never had exposure like this," said Troyer during a break from one of his three 5-hour autograph sessions. "I'm just trying to stay grounded right now. This ride may not last for long, you never know. I'm always going to be me. I'm never going to change."
There's a reason Troyer sounds like an actor that has paid his dues. He started in the business in 1994 as a stunt player in "Baby's Day Out," and has since forged a career in acting with roles in high profile films like "Jingle All the Way" and "Men in Black."
And while it was his height that gave him the obvious edge in nabbing "Austin Powers 2," it's not a stereotypical role If anything, it pokes fun at the shorter sidekicks kicked around in the Spy/Bond genre, like the late Hervé Villechaize's "Nick Nack" in "The Man With The Golden Gun." Hear Troyer tell how Mini-Me came to be. (RealAudio: 30 sec.)
"It's such a good thing when Hollywood steps aside and doesn't think of you in stereotype, like an elf in a Christmas movie or an alien," says Troyer. "That's what I'm trying to strive towards. I've just gotten a couple of scripts -- one where I'm a romantic lead."
Next up for Troyer is another high profile movie, as a Who in Whoville in Ron Howard's live action version of the Dr. Seuss classic, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." There, he will star opposite another comedy icon, Jim Carrey, as well as "Saturday Night Live" star Molly Shannon, and Dr. Evil's Frau Farbissina, Mindy Sterling. As for more of Mini-Me in another "Austin" sequel? Well, the door is wide open on that, Big Boy.
"There's just rumors going on, and I'm not Mike Myers so I can't tell you (for sure)," Troyer says. "But definitely I think it's going to happen."
And hopefully, Troyer will be asking for at least one miilllyion dollars to co-star!
Aside from having "the name" (her parents are Eddie Fisher and Connie Stevens; Carrie's mom is Debbie Reynolds), the only real advantage Fisher had growing up around showbiz was the inside track on knowing how hard the work is and how chancy it can be -- certainly more than a person would know starting fresh. "I've seen my entire life how (fame) can bring you such triumphs and treasures," says Fisher, "and how it can be a thing that destroys you. I've seen it in a lot of people -- my own family included." Still, she says, "I wouldn't have been stopped with a train. It's what I love and I'm happy to be doing it, but I also realized when I was young, and my mom taught me when I was young, that that's not all that there is. The relationships that you form along the way are far more important than getting the next job." Thankfully, the next job is already secure for the former co-star of TV's "Ellen." Fisher is starring in the lead for the touring Broadway company of "Cabaret." Like many famous sibling actors before her, Joely Fisher knows all too well that a famous surname sums up to just about that in Hollywood -- and nothing more. Click Here to try your hand at your knowledge of these famous film families. -- Additional reporting by Bill Carlson
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Joely Fisher: Figuring Out The 'Gadgets' Of Hollywood
In her new film, "Inspector Gadget" actor Joely Fisher probably gets to experience more high tech special effects than half-sister Carrie did during her entire flight time in the "Star Wars" universe. But getting to the point of becoming an actor in Hollywood, much less making the film, was the real trick. Better Off 'Dead?'
Giving more thought to last week's observation that "'Drop Dead Gorgeous' makes 'Fargo' look like it was made by the state chamber of commerce," was probably being too (Minnesota) nice. In truth, absolutely nothing Minnesotan is sacred in "Drop Dead" -- not even the end title song, "Love is All Around," a Joan Jett & The Blackhearts heavy metal redux of the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme. The funniest part of the movie is the fact that, like "Fargo," the story comes from the wicked pen of a native Minnesotan -- Lona Williams (a former writer and executive producer on "The Drew Carrey Show"). Yeah, you betcha! Hear Joan Jett's "Love Is All Around." (RealAudio: 41 sec.) 
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