Actor Verne Troyer died on Saturday, April 21 at the age of 49. The actor is best known for his role in the hit "Austin Powers" franchise as Dr. Evil's sidekick Mini-Me. Verne Troyer suffered from a number of health issues throughout his life, however, it was his battle with depression and addiction to drugs and alcohol that played the biggest role in the 49-year-old's recent death according to TMZ reports.

Friends of Verne Troyer expressed concern for actor

On April 4, Troyer was rushed to a nearby Los Angeles hospital after authorities received multiple 911 calls reporting that the actor was suicidal.

CBS reports stated that Verne Troyer's team posted on social media asking fans to keep him in their thoughts and prayers. The statement also assured fans that Troyer was "getting the best care possible" and "resting comfortably."

Troyer could never quite shake his demons

It has now been revealed that Verne Troyer had three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system on April 4 when he arrived at the hospital. Sources close to Verne revealed to TMZ that after Troyer's arrival at the hospital the actor became unresponsive. He was then transferred to another hospital where he could receive care better suited to his situation.

After being transferred the actor's organs reportedly began failing.

He was placed on life support, but things escalated from there and that is when the decision to stop life support was made and Troyer passed away peacefully. An official autopsy has been completed, however, toxicology results are pending before the official autopsy report will be released publicly.

Verne Troyer's years-long battle with alcoholism has been a losing and public one for the actor.

Troyer, however, had always been a fighter. Born with cartilage-hair hypoplasia he grew to only 2' 8" , making him one of the shortest men in the world.

He began his career in 1994 in the John Hughes film "Baby's Day Out" as a stunt double. He continued his career in film with small roles in hit films including, "Dunston Checks In," "Jingle All the Way," "Men in Black," and "My Giant" before securing his now famous role in the "Austin Powers" film series as Mini-Me.

Troyer then went on to make several appearances as himself in several reality television series, including The Surreal Life, Welcome to Sweden, British Celebrity Big Brother.

In 2008, Verne Troyer and former girlfriend, Ranae Shrider, filmed themselves in a homemade sex video which was later leaked to the public by Shrider and TMZ. Throughout the years Verne's battle with sex and alcohol addiction sent him to rehab in search of help a number of times until the time of his death on April 21, 2018.

Rest in peace Verne Troyer.
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