Mindy Sterling

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Mindy Sterling
Mindy Sterling by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
Sterling at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Mindy Lee Sterling

(1953-07-11) July 11, 1953 (age 72)
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 multiple live action and voice-over credits across film and television. Her accolades include nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Contents

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 Kinsky 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 Miss 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), Despicable Me 3 (2017), and The Grinch (2018).

Early life

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, [2] and her mother Florence Adele "Bookie" Sterling (née Pushkin) was a dancer. [3] She has one brother, Mark Sterling. [3] Sterling grew up in Miami. [4]

As a child, she was terribly shy so she took drama in high school to "get out of my insecurity and my shell". [5] She was in several plays throughout high school. [5] [6] [7] She graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School in 1972 and earned a degree in acting at Miami Dade College. [8]

Career

Around 1973, Sterling landed a recurring role on the syndicated children's series Dusty's Treehouse . [5] She later joined the L.A.-based comedy troupe The Groundlings in the 1980s. [4] From 1990 to 1991, she was one of the comedians in the satirical show On the Television. 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 (1997), that brought Sterling high praise for her work in films. [5] In 1999, she starred in the sequel Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me , and also appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous . [9] She later reprised the character Frau Farbissina in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) for the third and final time. [10]

Sterling played one of the townspeople in the 2000 live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas , and also provided additional voices in the 2018 CGI version, The Grinch . [11] Also in 2000, Sterling appeared as a celebrity guest on Hollywood Squares ; she returned to the show in 2002. Between 2002 and 2004, Sterling made guest appearances on the Donny Osmond version of the game show Pyramid . In 2004, she was the casting director on the episode "Joey and the Big Audition" of Joey . In 2005, she played Judge Foodie on the Disney show That's So Raven and a volleyball coach on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2006. In 2008, Sterling played Christian Slater's secretary Arlene Scott in the show My Own Worst Enemy .

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

From 2007 to 2010, Sterling voiced Miss 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 , [12] 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. [5] [13] In 2010, she had a recurring role as bitter neighbour Mitzi Kinsky in Desperate Housewives . [5] 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 . [5] [14] In 2018, she appeared in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events . [15] From 2017 to 2023, she appeared on the sitcom The Goldbergs as Linda Schwartz, the mother of Geoff Schwartz. [16] In 2024, Sterling guest starred on the series premiere of St. Denis Medical . [16] [17]

Personal life

Sterling has a son from her previous marriage to Brian Gadson. [8] [18]

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. [19]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
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 MachineVoice; credited as Mindy Stern
1994 The Favor Debbie Rollins
1995The 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
2001Barstow 2008Mona Finch
The Sky Is Falling Doris
Totally Blonde Ramona
2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember Frau Farbissina
2004 EuroTrip Old Woman in ConfessionalUncredited
2005The 12 Dogs of ChristmasMrs. Walsh
2006The Enigma with a StigmaPatricia Riley
Domestic Import Bernice Kimmelman
Ice Age: The Meltdown Female Ox Voice [20]
Pro-ChoiceDanny's MotherShort film
The Amazing Screw-On Head Aggie, GeraldineVoice
2007FrankMonica Loveless
Reno 911!: Miami Spoder's Mom
The CaptainNedraShort film
Surf's Up Doris FlipkitzVoice, Deleted scenes
GoldfishTeacherShort film
Beyond the PaleMrs. Plotzkin
2008 Wieners Mrs. Applebaum
Happy WednesdayDeana WilliamsShort film
Extreme Movie Jane
2009 Spring Breakdown Lavonne
The Big IdeaIris PikarskiShort film
Jesus People: The Movie Claudia
2010 Alpha and Omega DebbieVoice [20]
2011 The Newest Pledge President Dumervile
Monster Mutt Helen
Mars Needs Moms The SupervisorVoice
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Female Insurance Agent
2012 Any Day Now Miss Mills
The Dog Who Saved the HolidaysGrandma BannisterVideo
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire Lita RutlandVoice, direct-to-video [20]
2013 Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon CatererVoice, direct-to-video [20]
Monsters University Additional Voices
2014The Dog Who Saved EasterGrandma BannisterVoice, direct-to-video [20]
2015The Dog Who Saved SummerGrandma BannisterVideo
Minions Additional Voices
2016 The Good Neighbor Mae
2017 Despicable Me 3 Additional Voices
Batman and Harley Quinn Project SupervisorVoice [20]
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

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986 Perfect Strangers HostessEpisode: "First Date"
1990 Working Tra$h MaryTelevision film
1991On the TelevisionVarious roles7 episodes
Riders in the SkyLois, Stage Mother2 episodes
Evening Shade La WandaEpisode: "The Thanksgiving Show"
1992 The Larry Sanders Show Writer3 episodes
1993 Saved by the Bell: The College Years Clara Meade2 episodes
1993, 1995 Family Matters Coach, Woman2 episodes
1994 Good Advice JillEpisode: "Two Times Twenty"
1995 Sister, Sister Denise's MomEpisode: "Single White Teenager"
Beyond FamilyMom ZumwaltTelevision film
1996 Friends Wedding PlannerEpisode: "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding"
Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Mrs. FlecknerEpisode: "Some Assembly Required"
1997 Ellen June HaddassiEpisode: "Makin' Whoopie"
Alright Already MaxineEpisode: "Again with the Black Box"
2000 The Wild Thornberrys Lemur #2, NewscasterVoice, episode: "Bogged Down" [20]
Manhattan, AZ LonaRecurring role; 8 episodes
2001 Just Shoot Me! Mrs. LubitzEpisode: "The Gift Piggy"
Even Stevens Ms. LynchEpisode: "Uncle Chuck"
2002 Invader Zim Countess von VerminstrasserVoice, episode: "Lice" [20]
As Told by Ginger Ms. Powell, Song LeaderVoice, 2 episodes [20]
She Spies Ylva GalloEpisode: "The Martini Shot"
2003 Hidden Hills 2 episodes
On the Spot Fifi5 episodes
2004 Reno 911! Mrs. Leonard2 episodes
Joey The Casting DirectorEpisode: "Joey and the Big Audition"
30 Days Until I'm FamousLupe HorowitzTelevision film
2005 Unfabulous Superintendent Jackie BellEpisode: "The Grey Area"
That's So Raven Judge FoodieEpisode: "Food for Thought"
Cuts Ms. FennellEpisode: "Hair Tease"
Justice League Unlimited Enid ClintonVoice, 2 episodes [20]
2006 The King of Queens SherryEpisode: "Gambling N' Diction"
Lovespring International MonicaEpisode: "The Loser Club"
The Replacements Scoutleader SusanVoice, episode: "The Jerky Girls"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Sister RoseEpisode: "Volley Dad"
American Dragon: Jake Long Pix McGee, Mrs. GrumplestockVoice, 2 episodes
Haversham HallHeadmistress Moira GrodnickelTelevision film
Come On Over Grandy2 episodes
Getting Played LydiaTelevision film
2006–2007 Higglytown Heroes Aunt MellieVoice, recurring role
2007 Curb Your Enthusiasm NurseEpisode: "The Bat Mitzvah"
Shredderman Rules Dr. Sheila VossTelevision film
2007–2008 Tak and the Power of Juju Chaka UngatakaVoice, 2 episodes
2007–2010 Chowder Miss Endive, additional voicesVoice, 49 episodes [20]
2007–2012 iCarly Miss Francine BriggsRecurring role; 9 episodes
2008 Scrubs Mrs. CropperEpisode: "My Manhood"
My Name Is Earl Mrs. ZaksEpisode: "The Magic Hour"
Rita Rocks Mrs. Portman, Towel customerEpisode: "Take This Job and Shove It"
My Own Worst Enemy Arlene ScottRecurring role; 5 episodes
Worst Week ElkaEpisode: "The Gift"
Unknown Sender DorisEpisode: "Spin Cycle"
2009 The Dog Who Saved Christmas Grandma BannisterTelevision film
2010 10 Things I Hate About You Cosmetics ShopperEpisode: "Too Much Information"
Svetlana MamaEpisode: "Throw Mama Back on the Plane"
Warren the Ape JudgeEpisode: "Anger Management"
Glory Daze Ticket LadyEpisode: "What's Love Got to Nude with It"
U.S.S. AlabamaDr. Lila CornTelevision film
Dick Tracy SpecialBerniceTelevision film
Lilly's LightPeachesTelevision film
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation Grandma BannisterTelevision film
2010–2011 Desperate Housewives Mitzi KinskyRecurring role; 9 episodes
2010–2012 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil Ms. ChicarelliVoice, 10 episodes
2011 Elvira's Movie Macabre Ethel, Mistress of CraftsEpisode: "Untamed Women"
The Looney Tunes Show Beauty School InstructorVoice, episode: "Beauty School"
The League NadiaEpisode: "The Out of Towner"
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Dean Fenk, Mom, Abigail GluckVoice, 2 episodes [21]
2 Broke Girls Mrs. SteinEpisode: "And the Very Christmas Thanksgiving"
The Dog Who Saved HalloweenGrandma BannisterTelevision film
2011–2013 A.N.T. Farm Principal Susan SkidmoreRecurring role; 21 episodes
2012 Winx Club (Nickelodeon version)MorganaVoice, recurring role
Fish Hooks Lunchlady LatoadaVoice, episode: "Get a Yob!"
2012–2014 The Legend of Korra Lin Beifong, additional voicesVoice, recurring role [20]
2013 Incredible Crew TeacherSpecial Guest Role; "Student Dictator" sketch
Legit Janice NugentRecurring role; 14 episodes
Raising Hope ProsecutorEpisode: "Adoption"
2014 Good Morning Today Dr. Wilma FrankEpisode: "#1.20"
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Snow LeopardVoice, episode: "The First Five"
Franklin & Bash Irina TanyaEpisode: "Spirits in the Material World"
A to Z Aunt JoEpisode: "D Is for Debbie"
2015 Breadwinners Buhdeuce's MomVoice, episode: "Birds of a Feather" [20]
The Soul Man Ms. StromanEpisode: "Who Let the Dog In?"
Pig Goat Banana Cricket Brainy Jane, Brainy Jane's BrainVoice, episode: "The Tooth of My True Love" [20]
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Lady Pipi WutheringVoice, episode: "Party Like It's 1899" [20]
Young & Hungry MatildaEpisode: "Young & Christmas"
TripTank Caller, Fisherman Face, Older WomanVoice, 3 episodes [20]
2015–2017 Black-ish Pamela4 episodes
Con Man BobbieMain cast; 16 episodes
Web series
2016 Animals. Psychic LadyVoice, 2 episodes [20]
The Detour BevEpisode: "The Pilot"
2016–2019 Mike Tyson Mysteries Bitsy Morgan, Miriam SchulwitzVoice, 2 episodes [20]
2016–2018 The Adventures of Puss in Boots MiguelaVoice, 3 episodes [20]
2017Sex & ExecsShirlaTelevision film
Voltron: Legendary Defender RynerVoice, 3 episodes
School of Rock GloriaEpisode: "School of Trust"
Hell's Kitchen HerselfGuest diner and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society contributor; Episode: "It's All Gravy"
Grace and Frankie Sally GasparEpisode: The Death Stick
2017–2018 The Loud House Dr. Shuttleworth, Officer Schoffner, Angry Driver #1Voice, 3 episodes [20]
2017–2023 The Goldbergs Linda SchwartzRecurring role
2018 Hot Streets Dr. Jane BrainbrookEpisode: "Pilot"
Life in Pieces DesireeEpisode: "Reading Egg Nurse Neighbor"
One Day at a Time DeliaEpisode: "Citizen Lydia"
A Series of Unfortunate Events Elder AnnabelleEpisode: "The Vile Village"
Nobodies Deborah DiamondEpisode: "Kristen's Wiig"
Ghosted Gloria Stevens-JenniferEpisode: "The Article"
2018–2019 The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Mrs. SneedlyVoice, 3 episodes [20]
2019 Fuller House Gloria FeinsteinEpisode: "Hale's Kitchen"
2020 Raven's Home Grandma ZoEpisode: "The Story So-fa"
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts BevVoice, episode: "The Goat Cheese Prophecy" [20]
2021 The Shrink Next Door Mrs. ZichermanMiniseries, 1 episode
2022 Madagascar: A Little Wild Thelma the Space MonkeyVoice, episode: "The Final Fur-tier"
2024 St. Denis Medical LaurieEpisode: "Welcome to St. Denis"
2025 Phineas and Ferb VeterinarianEpisode: "A Chip to the Vet"

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004 Spider-Man 2 Aunt May, Female Pedestrian, Scientist [20]
EverQuest II Oracle Ulinara, Darmen Sproutmore, Merchant Novak
2006 Superman Returns The Citizens of Metropolis
2016Con Man: The GameBobbie Mobile game

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 2000 Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Nominated [22]
Teen Choice Awards 2000 Choice Movie ChemistryAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeNominated [23]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2017 Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Con ManNominated [24]
Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Sex & ExecsNominated

References

  1. "Mindy Sterling". Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. Huddy, John (September 11, 1976). "It's Liza and Sammy For a Dazzling Eve". The Miami Herald. p. 10C. Retrieved April 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  3. 1 2 Padlibsky, Sol (December 21, 1960). "'Bookie' in pro dance debut". The Charleston Daily Mail. p. 2. Retrieved April 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  4. 1 2 Pickle, Betsy (November 28, 2000). "After Dr. Evil, actress faces off with the Grinch". The Star-Ledger . p. 64. Retrieved April 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Harris, Will (February 26, 2014). "Mindy Sterling on the Groundlings, Austin Powers, and kids' shows". The A.V. Club .
  6. Bloom, Nate. "Jewish entertainers well-represented at Emmy Awards". Stljewishlight.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  7. Wendy J. Madnick (June 29, 2010). "Mindy Sterling brings Attitude to Comic-Con". Jewishjournal.com. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Brockman, Linda (August 28, 2002). "Sterling proves she is anything but an 'Evil' woman". The Miami Herald. pp.  8, 41 . Retrieved April 8, 2025 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  9. "Austin Powers movie features Mindy Sterling". The Daily Advertiser . Associated Press. April 6, 1999. p. 4B. Retrieved January 1, 2020 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  10. 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. Lock-green.svg
  11. Horn, Danny (December 7, 2024). "How the Grinch Stole Christmas cast: See Jim Carrey and his costars, then and now". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  12. Schwarzbaum, Lisa (March 10, 2011). "Mars Needs Moms". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  13. Dee, Jonathan (April 8, 2007). "Tween on the Screen". The New York Times. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  14. Genzlinger, Neil (January 16, 2013). "Comedy Not Intended for the Squeamish". The New York Times. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  15. Shamsian, Jacob; Oswald, Anjelica (January 8, 2019). "28 big actors you didn't realize were on Netflix's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'". Business Insider. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  16. 1 2 McCarthy, Tyler (November 13, 2024). "St. Denis Medical's Most Heartfelt Premiere Moment Was Led by a Very Familiar Face". NBC. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  17. Hall, Gerrard (November 7, 2024). "Tickling your funny bone: Inside the operations of new workplace comedy St. Denis Medical". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  18. Kaan, Gil (July 27, 2020). "BWW Interview: Mindy Sterling On Staying Home & Being a Groundling". BroadwayWorld .
  19. Morgan, John; Shoop, Stephen A. (February 3, 2004). "Mindy Sterling's 'mojo' beats breast cancer". USA Today . Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "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.
  21. "Pawn of Shadows". Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. Episode 25. - closing credits
  22. "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.
  23. A. Kim, Ellen (October 26, 2001). "2000 Teen Choice Award winners". Hollywood Film Festival . Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  24. "Mindy Sterling". Television Academy. Retrieved October 2, 2024.