Actor- Mindy Sterling: Austin Powers' Frau Farbissina
Submitted Jun 13, 2007
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Mindy Sterling
Mindy Sterling is certainly one of the comedy queens of present day film and TV.
She is a Groundling alumna, beginning in 1984 where she honed her skills putting her on a path of becoming an improv standout in the present day class of female comedic actors. With an abundance of TV, movie appearances and character voices already attached to her resume, her most recognizable films roles in the past have been in The “Austin Powers” trilogy of films as Dr. Evil’s henchwoman and love interest, “Frau Farbissina”. She also appeared the hit film, “The Grinch” and the dark comedy with a star-studded female cast “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and recently “Reno 911 Miami”.
The year of 2007 brings the opening of several films in which she will be appearing, including teen comedies “Wieners” and “Spring Breakdown” and children’s films, “Shredderman Rules” and “Frank”.
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Interviewed by Matthew Rose
Tell us about the Groundlings. What is the company, and how did your twenty-plus year association with The Groundlings begin?
The groundlings is a school and a theater company that began in 1974. You can go to the site online and get all the info on them….when I came out here about 28 years ago, I was turned on to improvisation and loved being able to create characters and dialogue right in the moment. I attended some of the shows and worked with some of the actors in an outside improvisation class taught by Bill Steinkellner. Then I was persuaded to audition for the Groundlings classes.
You've taught improv at The Groundings since the '90s. What are the most important ideas that you try to get across to your students?
Listen, don’t try and be funny, and connect with your partners. Improv is a team creation. You must work together.
Lisa Kudrow, Cheri Oteri, and Chris Kataan were just a few of your famous students. Do you think comedy can be taught? Or do you either "have it or you don’t"?
Cheri, Chris and Lisa definitley had it! I can’t teach you to have an interesting point of view…which is what we look for. But as a teacher, we help guide you in those areas and pull things out of you that you might not know exist. Comedy is all about how you perceive the world and then how you can communicate that with characters and writing and improvisation.
The Groundlings led to many of your successful TV and film roles—how did you first meet Mike Myers, who cast you as Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers movies?
Julia Sweeney brought him to the theater to perform with us one night. I was in awe of him and we just worked together really well. He was trying out some characters in a show he put together at the groundlings and invited me to be a part of it. One of the characters was Austin Powers.
How did you prepare for the audition, and later, the role? Do you have a consistent method of preparation, or is every project different for you?
I read the script and laughed out loud. That doesn’t happen too often…the laughing out loud over a script. Then I called my father, who was an actor, and told him that I needed a German Accent…so he helped me with that. That’s about al the prep work I did. The audition was so nerve wracking for me cause I wanted it more than anything! Then Jay Roach had me improv some stuff and I guess it all worked out.
What did you learn from working with Mike Myers?
He is so focused. For as many takes as we did for each scene, he would add and do it a little different each time. He always brought something different to the scene. He loved to play and you had to be on your toes without hanging too much. I wanted to respect what was written, and it was just plain god damn funny.
After twenty-five years of solid work in the show business, you hit it big when Austin Powers skyrocketed to the top of the box office. What was it like to have such "instant" success?
As you know, its never “instant success”, but it was one of the most thrilling things that ever happened to me. And then to get that call after the first one, to do the 2nd one…and then the 3rd one. Wow, I enjoyed every minute of it and still do!
We often hear about how hard it is for women over 40 to get work in Hollywood. You were no ingénue at that time. What advice would you give to 40 plus actresses who are feeling like time isn’t on their side?
I have no real advice, cause its still hard. You just have to believe in yourself and never give up the dream. Dreams can come true in your life at anytime, at any age.….I’m still dreaming.
Let's go back to the beginning. You come from an entertainment family. Did that make your decision to pursue acting easier? Why or why not?
My family were incredibly supportive. Its what I did best. But they would’ve been proud of me no matter what…ah…I guessed they loved me!
When did you decide to live in Los Angeles? Do you have any advice for actors who are trying to decide where to pursue their career?
To fulfill my dream, I had to go to New York or Los Angeles. I had never been to N.Y., but I did have relatives in L.A., so that’s where I went.
A lot of actors hit a wall and feel like calling it quits. Did that ever happen to you? And if so, what kept you going?
I am always afraid I will never work again. I’ve never wanted to give it up, but I think of branching out and doing other stuff…like producing? Acting is so rewarding on so many levels, but it does wear you down….
You recently accepted a role in the theater, in the Los Angeles production of "Gemini". (Click here for info) Tell us about the project.
This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It’s a beautiful play that is 30 years old. One of the 4th longest running plays on Broadway. Its about a young boy turning 21 and is visited by a brother and sister, who went to school with him. He confesses that he thinks he is gay, even though the girl and he once had a fling. I play his father’s Italian girlfriend who tries to be poised and whose nurturing qualities are annoying….
It’s a play about families and dealing with a son that comes out.
The cast is wonderful and working with Peter Onorati and Stephanie Faracy has been such amazing. They are true actors who are generous and loving and want to do good work. Stan Zimmerman, who directed it, has been loving and his direction for detail helps give the characters life. Its an experience that every actor should do from time to time. Its challenges you in so many ways and I have learned a great deal.
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