A coroner in Los Angeles said the 49-year-old Austin Powers star died in April from the effects of alcohol

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Austin Powers star Verne Troyer’s death was a suicide, a coroner in Los Angeles has said.

The actor, best known for playing Mini-Me in the spy comedy franchise, had openly battled alcoholism and died aged 49 in April.

Verne Troyer: a cult star who sustained a career with dignity and good humour | Peter Bradshaw Read more

Troyer, who was born with a form of dwarfism that stopped him growing past 2ft 8in, spent the final three weeks of his life in hospital in Los Angeles for alcohol intoxication.

Following an autopsy and further tests, the Los Angeles county department of medical examiner-coroner said Troyer died on 21 April from the effects of alcohol.

They ruled his death was a suicide.

Following Troyer’s death, tributes flooded in from fellow celebrities. Model and actor Carmen Electra shared a snap of the two of them on Instagram in which she can be seen holding Troyer in her arms.

Sign up for the new US morning briefing

The Baywatch star posted “R.I.P Verne Troyer” along with the image. West Wing star Marlee Matlin described him on Twitter as having a “lovely smile with a caring and big heart”.

Singer Vanilla Ice and American Pie actor Shannon Elizabeth also posted images of themselves with Troyer following the news of his death.

As well as Austin Powers, Troyer, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, starred in films including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Men in Black.

Play Video 1:39 Austin Powers actor Verne Troyer dies aged 49 – video report

In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.