Mindy Sterling
Mindy Lee Sterling (born July 11, 1953) is an American television, film and voice actress. She portrayed Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers film series and starred in the web series Con Man, the latter of which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She has had recurring roles as Miss Francine Briggs on the Nickelodeon series iCarly, Principal Susan Skidmore on the Disney Channel series A.N.T. Farm, and Linda Schwartz on the ABC series The Goldbergs.
Mindy Sterling | |
|---|---|
Sterling at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International | |
| Born | Mindy Lee Sterling July 11, 1953 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Spouse | Brian Gadson (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
Sterling has also done voiceover work for animation. For Cartoon Network, she provided the voice of Ms. Endive in the series Chowder. For Nickelodeon, she voiced Lin Beifong in The Legend of Korra (2012–2014) and Morgana in the Nickelodeon version of Winx Club.
Early life
Sterling was born in Paterson, New Jersey on July 11, 1953.[1] Her father Dick Sterling was an actor and nightclub comedian and her mother Florence Adele “Bookie” Sterling (née Pushkin) [2] was a dancer. She has one brother, Mark Sterling. She is Jewish.[3][4]
Career
Around 1973, Sterling landed a recurring role on the syndicated children's series Dusty's Treehouse. 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 plays 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),[5] and later reprised the character Frau Farbissina in Austin Powers in Goldmember for the third and final time.[6]
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. She currently appears on the sitcom The Goldbergs as the mother of Geoff Schwartz.
Personal life
Sterling has a son from her previous marriage to Brian Gadson.[7]
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.[8]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Devil and Max Devlin | Fan #1 at Grammy's | |
| 1986 | 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 | |
| Getting Played | Lydia | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | |
| 2013 | Monsters University | Additional Voices | |
| 2014 | The Dog Who Saved Easter | Grandma Bannister | Video |
| 2015 | The Dog Who Saved Summer | Grandma Bannister | Video |
| Minions | Additional Voices | ||
| 2016 | The Good Neighbor | Mae | |
| 2017 | Despicable Me 3 | Additional Voices | |
| 2018 | Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss | Beatrice | |
| All About Nina | Amy | ||
| The Grinch | Additional Voices | ||
| 2022 | Minions: The Rise of Gru | Additional Voices |
Television
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Perfect Strangers | Hostess | Episode: "First Date" |
| 1990 | Working Tra$h | Mary | TV 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 | TV 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" |
| 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: "Megadoomer/Lice" |
| 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 | TV 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 | |
| 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 | TV film | |
| Come On Over | Grandy | 2 episodes | |
| 2006–07 | Higglytown Heroes | Aunt Mellie | Voice, recurring role |
| 2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Nurse | Episode: "The Bat Mitzvah" |
| Shredderman Rules | Dr. Sheila Voss | TV film | |
| 2007–08 | Tak and the Power of Juju | Chaka Ungataka | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2007–12 | iCarly | Miss Francine Briggs | Recurring role; 9 episodes |
| 2007-10 | Chowder | Ms. Endive | Voice, 49 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 | TV 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 | TV film | |
| Dick Tracy Special | Bernice | TV film | |
| Lilly's Light | Peaches | TV film | |
| The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation | Grandma Bannister | TV film | |
| 2010–11 | Desperate Housewives | Mitzi Kinsky | Recurring role; 9 episodes |
| 2010–12 | Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil | Ms. Chicarelli | Voice, 2 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[9] | |
| 2 Broke Girls | Mrs. Stein | Episode: "And the Very Christmas Thanksgiving" | |
| The Dog Who Saved Halloween | Grandma Bannister | TV film | |
| 2011–13 | A.N.T. Farm | Principal Susan Skidmore | Recurring role; 21 episodes |
| 2012–14 | The Legend of Korra | Lin Beifong | Voice, recurring role |
| 2012 | Winx Club (Nickelodeon version) | Morgana | Voice, recurring role |
| Fish Hooks | Lunchlady Latoada | Voice, episode: "Get a Yob!" | |
| 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"[10] |
| 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" | |
| Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! | Lady Pipi Wuthering | Voice, episode: "Party Like It's 1899" | |
| Young & Hungry | Matilda | Episode: "Young & Christmas" | |
| TripTank | Caller, Fisherman Face, Older Woman | Voice, 3 episodes | |
| 2015–17 | Black-ish | Pamela | 4 episodes |
| Con Man | Bobbie | Main cast; 16 episodes Web series | |
| 2016 | Animals. | Psychic Lady | Voice, 2 episodes |
| The Detour | Bev | Episode: "The Pilot" | |
| Mike Tyson Mysteries | Bitsy Morgan | Voice, episode: "Unholy Matrimony" | |
| The Adventures of Puss in Boots | Miguela | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| 2017 | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Ryner | Voice, 3 episodes |
| School of Rock | Gloria | Episode: "School of Trust" | |
| 2017-18 | The Loud House | Dr. Shuttleworth, Officer Schoffner, Angry Driver #1 | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Guest diner and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society contributor; Episode: "It's All Gravy" |
| 2017–2023 | The Goldbergs | Linda Schwartz | Recurring role |
| 2017 | Grace and Frankie | Sally Gaspar | Episode: The Death Stick |
| 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" Pt. 1 and 2 | |
| Nobodies | Deborah Diamond | Episode: "Kristen's Wiig" | |
| Ghosted | Gloria Stevens-Jennifer | Episode: "The Article" | |
| 2018-19 | The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants | Mrs. Sneedly | Voice, 13 episodes |
| 2019 | Mike Tyson Mysteries | Miriam Schulwitz | Voice, episode: "The Yung and the Restless" |
| 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" | |
| 2022 | Madagascar: A Little Wild | Thelma the Space Monkey | Voice, episode: "The Final Fur-tier" |
Video games
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Aunt May, Female Pedestrian, Scientist | |
| EverQuest II | Oracle Ulinara, Darmen Sproutmore, Merchant Novak | ||
| 2006 | Superman Returns | The Citizens of Metropolis | |
| 2016 | Con Man: The Game | Bobbie | Mobile game |
References
- ^ "Mindy Sterling". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "The Charleston Daily Mail from Charleston, West Virginia on December 21, 1960 · Page 2".
- ^ Bloom, Nate. . Stljewishlight.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ Wendy J. Madnick (June 29, 2010). "Mindy Sterling brings Attitude to Comic-Con". Jewishjournal.com. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ "Austin Powers movie features Mindy Sterling". The Daily Advertiser. Associated Press. April 6, 1999. p. 4B. Retrieved January 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kaan, Gil (July 27, 2020). "BWW Interview: Mindy Sterling On Staying Home & Being a Groundling". BroadwayWorld.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ John Morgan; Stephen A. Shoop (February 3, 2004). "Mindy Sterling's 'mojo' beats breast cancer". USA Today.
- ^ "Pawn of Shadows". Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. Episode 25. - closing credits
- ^ "Birds of a Feather". Breadwinners. Season 1. Episode 20. April 26, 2015. Nickelodeon.
External links
Media related to Mindy Sterling at Wikimedia Commons
- Mindy Sterling at IMDb
Mindy Sterling on Twitter