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Mindy Sterling

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Mindy Sterling
Sterling at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Mindy Lee Sterling

(1953-07-11) July 11, 1953 (age 71)
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1973–present
SpouseBrian Gadson (divorced)
Children1

Mindy Lee Sterling (born July 11, 1953) is an American actress. She is primarily known as a character actress who has amassed several live action and voice-over credits across film and television. Her accolades include nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards.

In film, Sterling played Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers series (1997–2002) and appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), All About Nina (2018), and Bobcat Moretti (2023). On television, she played Francine Briggs on the Nickelodeon series iCarly (2007–2012), Mitzi Kinky on the ABC series Desperate Housewives (2010–2011), Susan Skidmore on the Disney Channel series A.N.T. Farm (2011–2013), Bobbie on the Vimeo series Con Man (2015–2017), and Linda Schwartz on the ABC series The Goldbergs (2017–2023).

Sterling provided the voice of Ms. Endive on the Cartoon Network series Chowder (2007–2010), Lin Beifong on the Nickelodeon series The Legend of Korra (2012–2014), and Morgana in the Nickelodeon version of Winx Club (2012). She has also done voice-over work for Alpha and Omega (2010), Monsters University (2013), the Despicable Me franchise (2015–2022), and The Grinch (2018).

Early life

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Sterling was born into a Jewish family in Paterson, New Jersey on July 11, 1953.[1] Her father Dick Sterling was an actor and nightclub comedian who collaborated with Shecky Greene and Sammy Shore, and her mother Florence Adele “Bookie” Sterling (née Pushkin) [2] was a dancer. She has one brother, Mark Sterling. Sterling grew up in Miami.

As a child, she was terribly shy so she took Drama in high school to “get out of my insecurity and my shell”. She was in several plays throughout high school.[3][4][5]

Career

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Around 1973, Sterling landed a recurring role on the syndicated children's series Dusty's Treehouse.[6] She later joined the L.A.-based comedy troupe The Groundlings. Despite having starred in numerous films in the 1980s and 1990s, it was her character Frau Farbissina, the diminutive and domineering Germanic cohort of Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, that brought Sterling high praise for her work in films.

From 1990 to 1991, she was one of the comedians in the satirical show On the Television. Sterling played Christian Slater's secretary Arlene Scott in the show My Own Worst Enemy. She also played Judge Foodie on the Disney show That's So Raven and a volleyball coach on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. She appeared as the wedding planner on the Friends episode "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding" in 1996, and in 2004, as the casting director on the episode "Joey and the Big Audition" of Joey. In 1999, following the success of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Sterling appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous (also 1999),[7] and later reprised the character Frau Farbissina in Austin Powers in Goldmember for the third and final time.[8]

Sterling on the red carpet at the premiere of "Cats for Cats" at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles (2011)

In 2000, Sterling appeared as a celebrity guest on Hollywood Squares. She returned to the show in 2002. She played one of the townspeople in the live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and also provided additional voices in the 2018 CGI version, The Grinch. Between 2002 and 2004, Sterling made guest appearances on the Donny Osmond version of the game show Pyramid.

From 2007 to 2010, Sterling voiced Ms. Endive, the main antagonist to Mung Daal in Chowder. She voiced the character Lin Beifong, the second Police Chief of Republic City and daughter of original chief Toph Beifong, in The Legend of Korra. She also had a recurring voice role as Morgana on the Nickelodeon version of Winx Club in 2012. Her many other voice-over credits include guest roles on The Wild Thornberrys, Invader Zim, Ice Age: The Meltdown, American Dragon: Jake Long, Higglytown Heroes, Robot Chicken, Mars Needs Moms, The Looney Tunes Show, Justice League Unlimited, Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

Sterling has achieved success in teen sitcoms, playing Ms. Francine Briggs on iCarly, and in A.N.T. Farm as Principal Susan Skidmore. On April 25, 2013 before the finale of the second season of A.N.T. Farm, Sterling announced she would not be appearing on the show's third season due to family obligations. She announced in June 2012 that she may return in the fourth season, with guest appearances in season three.[citation needed] In 2010, she had a recurring role as bitter neighbour Mitzi Kinsky in Desperate Housewives. In 2012, she appeared in a book trailer for a parody of The Hunger Games entitled The Hunger Pains. In 2013, she starred as Janice Nugent in the comedy series Legit. In 2018, she appeared in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events. From 2017 to 2023, she appeared on the sitcom The Goldbergs as Linda Schwartz, the mother of Geoff Schwartz.

Personal life

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Sterling has a son from her previous marriage to Brian Gadson.[9]

In 1998, Sterling was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. After a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation treatment and tamoxifen, she has remained cancer-free.[10]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 The Devil and Max Devlin Fan #1 at Grammy's
1985 House Woman in Bookstore
1987 The Brave Little Toaster Rob's mother, Two-Faced Sewing Machine Voice; credited as Mindy Stern
1994 The Favor Debbie Rollins
1995 The Crazysitter
Man of the Year Cindee
1997 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Frau Farbissina
Road Rules: All Stars Herself
1999 Idle Hands Lady Bowler
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Frau Farbissina
Drop Dead Gorgeous Iris Clark
2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Clarnella
2001 Barstow 2008 Mona Finch
The Sky Is Falling Doris
Totally Blonde Ramona
2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember Frau Farbissina
2004 EuroTrip Old Woman in Confessional Uncredited
2005 The 12 Dogs of Christmas Mrs. Walsh
2006 The Enigma with a Stigma Patricia Riley
Domestic Import Bernice Kimmelman
Ice Age: The Meltdown Female Ox Voice[11]
Pro-Choice Danny's Mother Short film
The Amazing Screw-On Head Aggie, Geraldine Voice
2007 Frank Monica Loveless
Reno 911!: Miami Spoder's Mom
The Captain Nedra Short film
Surf's Up Doris Flipkitz Voice, Deleted scenes
Goldfish Teacher Short film
Beyond the Pale Mrs. Plotzkin
2008 Wieners Mrs. Applebaum
Happy Wednesday Deana Williams Short film
Extreme Movie Jane
2009 Spring Breakdown Lavonne
The Big Idea Iris Pikarski Short film
Jesus People: The Movie Claudia
2010 Alpha and Omega Debbie Voice[11]
2011 The Newest Pledge President Dumervile
Monster Mutt Helen
Mars Needs Moms The Supervisor Voice
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Female Insurance Agent
2012 Any Day Now Miss Mills
The Dog Who Saved the Holidays Grandma Bannister Video
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire Lita Rutland Voice, direct-to-video[11]
2013 Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon Caterer Voice, direct-to-video[11]
Monsters University Additional Voices
2014 The Dog Who Saved Easter Grandma Bannister Voice, direct-to-video[11]
2015 The Dog Who Saved Summer Grandma Bannister Video
Minions Additional Voices
2016 The Good Neighbor Mae
2017 Despicable Me 3 Additional Voices
Batman and Harley Quinn Project Supervisor Voice[11]
The 60 Yard Line Linda Zagowski
2018 Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss Beatrice
All About Nina Amy
The Grinch Additional Voices
2022 Minions: The Rise of Gru Additional Voices
2023 Bobcat Moretti Jean

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 Perfect Strangers Hostess Episode: "First Date"
1990 Working Tra$h Mary Television film
1991 On the Television Various roles 7 episodes
Riders in the Sky Lois, Stage Mother 2 episodes
Evening Shade La Wanda Episode: "The Thanksgiving Show"
1992 The Larry Sanders Show Writer 3 episodes
1993 Saved by the Bell: The College Years Clara Meade 2 episodes
1993, 1995 Family Matters Coach, Woman 2 episodes
1994 Good Advice Jill Episode: "Two Times Twenty"
1995 Sister, Sister Denise's Mom Episode: "Single White Teenager"
Beyond Family Mom Zumwalt Television film
1996 Friends Wedding Planner Episode: "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding"
Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Mrs. Fleckner Episode: "Some Assembly Required"
1997 Ellen June Haddassi Episode: "Makin' Whoopie"
Alright Already Maxine Episode: "Again with the Black Box"
2000 The Wild Thornberrys Lemur #2, Newscaster Voice, episode: "Bogged Down"[11]
Manhattan, AZ Lona Recurring role; 8 episodes
2001 Just Shoot Me! Mrs. Lubitz Episode: "The Gift Piggy"
Even Stevens Ms. Lynch Episode: "Uncle Chuck"
2002 Invader Zim Countess von Verminstrasser Voice, episode: "Lice"[11]
As Told by Ginger Ms. Powell, Song Leader Voice, 2 episodes[11]
She Spies Ylva Gallo Episode: "The Martini Shot"
2003 Hidden Hills 2 episodes
On the Spot Fifi 5 episodes
2004 Reno 911! Mrs. Leonard 2 episodes
Joey The Casting Director Episode: "Joey and the Big Audition"
30 Days Until I'm Famous Lupe Horowitz Television film
2005 Unfabulous Superintendent Jackie Bell Episode: "The Grey Area"
That's So Raven Judge Foodie Episode: "Food for Thought"
Cuts Ms. Fennell Episode: "Hair Tease"
Justice League Unlimited Enid Clinton Voice, 2 episodes[11]
2006 The King of Queens Sherry Episode: "Gambling N' Diction"
Lovespring International Monica Episode: "The Loser Club"
The Replacements Scoutleader Susan Voice, episode: "The Jerky Girls"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Sister Rose Episode: "Volley Dad"
American Dragon: Jake Long Pix McGee, Mrs. Grumplestock Voice, 2 episodes
Haversham Hall Headmistress Moira Grodnickel Television film
Come On Over Grandy 2 episodes
Getting Played Lydia Television film
2006–2007 Higglytown Heroes Aunt Mellie Voice, recurring role
2007 Curb Your Enthusiasm Nurse Episode: "The Bat Mitzvah"
Shredderman Rules Dr. Sheila Voss Television film
2007–2008 Tak and the Power of Juju Chaka Ungataka Voice, 2 episodes
2007–2010 Chowder Ms. Endive, additional voices Voice, 49 episodes[11]
2007–2012 iCarly Miss Francine Briggs Recurring role; 9 episodes
2008 Scrubs Mrs. Cropper Episode: "My Manhood"
My Name Is Earl Mrs. Zaks Episode: "The Magic Hour"
Rita Rocks Mrs. Portman, Towel customer Episode: "Take This Job and Shove It"
My Own Worst Enemy Arlene Scott Recurring role; 5 episodes
Worst Week Elka Episode: "The Gift"
Unknown Sender Doris Episode: "Spin Cycle"
2009 The Dog Who Saved Christmas Grandma Bannister Television film
2010 10 Things I Hate About You Cosmetics Shopper Episode: "Too Much Information"
Svetlana Mama Episode: "Throw Mama Back on the Plane"
Warren the Ape Judge Episode: "Anger Management"
Glory Daze Ticket Lady Episode: "What's Love Got to Nude with It"
U.S.S. Alabama Dr. Lila Corn Television film
Dick Tracy Special Bernice Television film
Lilly's Light Peaches Television film
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation Grandma Bannister Television film
2010–2011 Desperate Housewives Mitzi Kinsky Recurring role; 9 episodes
2010–2012 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil Ms. Chicarelli Voice, 10 episodes
2011 Elvira's Movie Macabre Ethel, Mistress of Crafts Episode: "Untamed Women"
The Looney Tunes Show Beauty School Instructor Voice, episode: "Beauty School"
The League Nadia Episode: "The Out of Towner"
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Dean Fenk, Mom, Abigail Gluck Voice, 2 episodes[12]
2 Broke Girls Mrs. Stein Episode: "And the Very Christmas Thanksgiving"
The Dog Who Saved Halloween Grandma Bannister Television film
2011–2013 A.N.T. Farm Principal Susan Skidmore Recurring role; 21 episodes
2012 Winx Club (Nickelodeon version) Morgana Voice, recurring role
Fish Hooks Lunchlady Latoada Voice, episode: "Get a Yob!"
2012–2014 The Legend of Korra Lin Beifong, additional voices Voice, recurring role[11]
2013 Incredible Crew Teacher Special Guest Role; "Student Dictator" sketch
Legit Janice Nugent Recurring role; 14 episodes
Raising Hope Prosecutor Episode: "Adoption"
2014 Good Morning Today Dr. Wilma Frank Episode: "#1.20"
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Snow Leopard Voice, episode: "The First Five"
Franklin & Bash Irina Tanya Episode: "Spirits in the Material World"
A to Z Aunt Jo Episode: "D Is for Debbie"
2015 Breadwinners Buhdeuce's Mom Voice, episode: "Birds of a Feather"[11]
The Soul Man Ms. Stroman Episode: "Who Let the Dog In?"
Pig Goat Banana Cricket Brainy Jane, Brainy Jane's Brain Voice, episode: "The Tooth of My True Love"[11]
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Lady Pipi Wuthering Voice, episode: "Party Like It's 1899"[11]
Young & Hungry Matilda Episode: "Young & Christmas"
TripTank Caller, Fisherman Face, Older Woman Voice, 3 episodes[11]
2015–2017 Black-ish Pamela 4 episodes
Con Man Bobbie Main cast; 16 episodes
Web series
2016 Animals. Psychic Lady Voice, 2 episodes[11]
The Detour Bev Episode: "The Pilot"
2016–2019 Mike Tyson Mysteries Bitsy Morgan, Miriam Schulwitz Voice, 2 episodes[11]
2016–2018 The Adventures of Puss in Boots Miguela Voice, 3 episodes[11]
2017 Sex & Execs Shirla Television film
Voltron: Legendary Defender Ryner Voice, 3 episodes
School of Rock Gloria Episode: "School of Trust"
Hell's Kitchen Herself Guest diner and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society contributor; Episode: "It's All Gravy"
Grace and Frankie Sally Gaspar Episode: The Death Stick
2017–2018 The Loud House Dr. Shuttleworth, Officer Schoffner, Angry Driver #1 Voice, 3 episodes[11]
2017–2023 The Goldbergs Linda Schwartz Recurring role
2018 Hot Streets Dr. Jane Brainbrook Episode: "Pilot"
Life in Pieces Desiree Episode: "Reading Egg Nurse Neighbor"
One Day at a Time Delia Episode: "Citizen Lydia"
A Series of Unfortunate Events Elder Annabelle Episode: "The Vile Village"
Nobodies Deborah Diamond Episode: "Kristen's Wiig"
Ghosted Gloria Stevens-Jennifer Episode: "The Article"
2018–2019 The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Mrs. Sneedly Voice, 3 episodes[11]
2019 Fuller House Gloria Feinstein Episode: "Hale's Kitchen"
2020 Raven's Home Grandma Zo Episode: "The Story So-fa"
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Bev Voice, episode: "The Goat Cheese Prophecy"[11]
2021 The Shrink Next Door Mrs. Zicherman Miniseries, 1 episode
2022 Madagascar: A Little Wild Thelma the Space Monkey Voice, episode: "The Final Fur-tier"

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Spider-Man 2 Aunt May, Female Pedestrian, Scientist [11]
EverQuest II Oracle Ulinara, Darmen Sproutmore, Merchant Novak
2006 Superman Returns The Citizens of Metropolis
2016 Con Man: The Game Bobbie Mobile game

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 2000 Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Nominated [13]
Teen Choice Awards 2000 Choice Movie Chemistry Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Nominated [14]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2017 Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series The Bay Nominated [15]
Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Sex & Execs Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Mindy Sterling". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "The Charleston Daily Mail from Charleston, West Virginia on December 21, 1960 · Page 2". December 21, 1960.
  3. ^ "Mindy Sterling on the Groundlings, Austin Powers, and kids' shows". The A.V. Club. February 26, 2014.
  4. ^ Bloom, Nate. "Jewish entertainers well-represented at Emmy Awards". Stljewishlight.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  5. ^ Wendy J. Madnick (June 29, 2010). "Mindy Sterling brings Attitude to Comic-Con". Jewishjournal.com. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Mindy Sterling on the Groundlings, Austin Powers, and kids' shows". The A.V. Club. February 26, 2014.
  7. ^ "Austin Powers movie features Mindy Sterling". The Daily Advertiser. Associated Press. April 6, 1999. p. 4B. Retrieved January 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Szymanski, Mike (July 26, 2002). "Mindy Sterling reprises role as Dr. Evil's love slave". The Oklahoman. p. 17. Retrieved January 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Kaan, Gil (July 27, 2020). "BWW Interview: Mindy Sterling On Staying Home & Being a Groundling". BroadwayWorld.
  10. ^ John Morgan; Stephen A. Shoop (February 3, 2004). "Mindy Sterling's 'mojo' beats breast cancer". USA Today.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Mindy Sterling (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 26, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  12. ^ "Pawn of Shadows". Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. Episode 25. - closing credits
  13. ^ "Nominees Announced for 'Sixth Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Award' To Air in June on FOX". Blockbuster. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  14. ^ A. Kim, Ellen (October 26, 2001). "2000 Teen Choice Award winners". Hollywood Film Festival. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  15. ^ "Mindy Sterling". Television Academy. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
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