Mindy Sterling

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.

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.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1973–present
Spouse	Brian Gadson (divorced)
Children	1

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] and 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)

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] 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.^[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

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[20]
	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[20]
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[20]
2013	Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon	Caterer	Voice, direct-to-video[20]
	Monsters University	Additional Voices
2014	The Dog Who Saved Easter	Grandma Bannister	Voice, direct-to-video[20]
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[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

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"[20]
	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"[20]
	As Told by Ginger	Ms. Powell, Song Leader	Voice, 2 episodes[20]
	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[20]
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	Miss Endive, additional voices	Voice, 49 episodes[20]
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[21]
	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[20]
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"[20]
	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"[20]
	Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!	Lady Pipi Wuthering	Voice, episode: "Party Like It's 1899"[20]
	Young & Hungry	Matilda	Episode: "Young & Christmas"
	TripTank	Caller, Fisherman Face, Older Woman	Voice, 3 episodes[20]
2015–2017	Black-ish	Pamela	4 episodes
	Con Man	Bobbie	Main cast; 16 episodes Web series
2016	Animals.	Psychic Lady	Voice, 2 episodes[20]
	The Detour	Bev	Episode: "The Pilot"
2016–2019	Mike Tyson Mysteries	Bitsy Morgan, Miriam Schulwitz	Voice, 2 episodes[20]
2016–2018	The Adventures of Puss in Boots	Miguela	Voice, 3 episodes[20]
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[20]
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[20]
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"[20]
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"
2024	St. Denis Medical	Laurie	Episode: "Welcome to St. Denis"

Video games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
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
2016	Con Man: The Game	Bobbie	Mobile game

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards	2000	Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy	Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me	Nominated	[22]
Teen Choice Awards	2000	Choice Movie Chemistry	Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me	Nominated	[23]
Primetime Emmy Awards	2017	Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series	Con Man	Nominated	[24]
		Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series	Sex & Execs	Nominated