Born in Sturgis, Michigan, Troyer, who measures up at two feet, eight inches, started working as a telephone operator. He then joined the customer service department of a phone company. He began working in the film industry as a stunt double. His first film was Baby's Day Out (1994) followed by Jingle All the Way (1996) where he wrestles Arnold Schwarznegger as a small Santa, and My Giant (1998).

His experience in stunt work paid off when he joined the cast of Austin Powers, The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999). Originally, the film's director Jay Roach, and Mike Myers didn't believe they would be able to find a little person small enough to play Mini-Me and at one point even considered casting a child. Then the film's casting directors talked to a friend who was a produce ..[Full version]