Actor Verne Troyer has died (Picture: Getty)

Actor Verne Troyer has died at the age of 49 according to his Facebook and Instagram.

He was best known for playing Mini Me in the Austin Powers comedies.

A tribute on his social media reads: ‘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.

Verne Troyer played Mini Me in the Austin Powers films opposite Mike Myers (Picture: New Line/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

‘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.

A statement on Troyer’s social media called him ‘an extremely caring individual’ (Picture: Getty Images)

‘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.’

Mike Myers, the man behind Austin Powers, has paid tribute to his co-star, who appeared in Goldmember and The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Mike Myers has paid tribute to his Austin Powers co-star Verne Troyer (Picture: Wright/New Line/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

He said in a statement via his publicist: ‘Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who had the honour of working with him.

‘It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place. He will be greatly missed.’

The pair also starred together in The Love Guru.

Other celebrities have been paying tribute to the actor on social media.

Actress Carmen Electra shared a picture of them together on her Instagram page. Alongside the photo, she simply wrote: ‘R.I.P. Verne Troyer.’

Michelle Heaton, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in the same series as Troyer, also paid tribute.

She said: ‘Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of my bear @vernetroyer absolute hero in every sense of the word…had the best time with you in that house all those many years ago – almost a decade now!

‘Your attack on the diary room door on your scooter was the best thing I’ve ever seen…hope you are in a better place wherever you are.’

While another of Verne’s former Celebrity Big Brother housemates, Ben Adams, added: ‘So sad to hear of the passing of my old friend @VerneTroyer RIP.’

So sad to hear of the passing of my old friend @VerneTroyer RIP ? pic.twitter.com/6g6UW005S6 — Ben Adams (@benadamsuk) April 21, 2018

Marlee Matlin thanked him for his charitable work, posting: ‘So sad to read of the passing of Verne Troyer.

‘A lovely smile with a caring and big heart, he helped raise money on behalf of @starkeycares for free hearing aids for deaf and hard of hearing people. RIP.’

Fucking devastated. My brother @vernetroyer I miss u and wish I could been there. I fucking miss u man. Fuck fuck I miss u pic.twitter.com/krdS8pcCzL — Azukita Aoki (@steveaoki) April 21, 2018

DJ Steve Aoki shared an emotional message, writing: ‘Fucking devastated. My brother @vernetroyer I miss u and wish I could been there.

‘I fucking miss u man. Fuck fuck I miss u.’

Verne Troyer appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2009 (Picture: Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images)

Paul Chuckle later tweeted: ‘Just heard on the news .. Verne Troyer has died at only 49. He did some good movies and will be missed #MiniMe

‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends RIP Verne.’

Ludacris – who starred with Verne in his music video, Number One Spot, uploaded a photo of them both on set on his Instagram page.

‘R.I.P. Verne Troyer aka Mini Me. You made it to that #1 Spot. Glad we got to make history together. #goontosoon #love,’ he added.

Troyer was rushed to hospital with alcohol poisoning earlier this month. A statement given to Metro.co.uk at the time said he was getting ‘the best care’.

It read: ‘Asking you to keep Verne in your thoughts and prayers. He’s getting the best care possible and is resting comfortably. Appreciate the support from family, friends, and fans around the world.’

Verne Troyer was hospitalised earlier this month (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

It came a year after he told concerned fans he had ‘voluntarily’ checked into a rehabilitation centre to combat alcohol addiction.

In a message on his Instagram, he said: ‘I’ve been hearing from some concerned fans, so I’d like to address a very personal situation.

‘As you know, I’ve battled alcohol addiction in the past and while it’s not always been an easy fight, I’m willing to continue my fight day by day.

‘I’ve been receiving treatment for the last week and I am voluntarily checking into a treatment centre later this week to continue to get the help that I need.

‘I want to thank everyone that’s reached out with their messages of support, it truly means the world to me.

‘With your support, I got this.’

The actor appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2009 alongside Michelle Heaton, Mutya Buena, Coolio and singer Ben Adams.

The A1 star tweeted a tribute to Verne after the news broke, saying: ‘So sad to hear of the passing of my old friend @VerneTroyer RIP’.

So sad to hear of the passing of my old friend @VerneTroyer RIP ? pic.twitter.com/6g6UW005S6 — Ben Adams (@benadamsuk) April 21, 2018

Troyer also had appearances in The Love Guru, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Bubble Boy and Postal.

He is one of the shortest men in the world having been born as a result of the condition achondroplasia, which leads to dwarfism.

He has said in the past that he ‘didn’t really think about my size until I got older’.

Troyer told The Guardian in 2015: ‘It had never really fazed me that much. I never got much trouble off other kids either, although there was one incident in third grade where a kid who was much taller than me called me the M-word [midget], which is very offensive.

‘So without even thinking, I just jumped in the air and punched him in the nose. He never bothered me again.’

The actor, who grew up Amish, also credited his parents with teaching him to be ‘optimistic and independent’.

‘They made me feel that I could do anything I set my mind to, which has really helped me,’ he said.

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‘They didn’t make allowances for me because of my height. I had to do everything my brother and sister had to do, including raising our animal menagerie that included cows and chickens.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Troyer’s rep for comment.