Mindy Sterling Reveals Whether There Will Be Another ‘Austin Powers’ Film (Exclusive)

Mindy Sterling is a familiar face to any comedy fan—in addition to her signature roles as Frau Farbissina from the Austin Powers franchise and Clair Nella, the old biddy who raised Jim Carrey’s Grinch in 2000’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, she’s made us laugh in everything from Desperate Housewives to The Goldbergs.

Sterling, 72, was on hand at January’s Hollywood Show convention in Burbank, California, and spoke to ReMIND about her favorite Austin Powers memories, whether the series would ever make a revival film, and the very unusual memento she took from the Grinch set.

How was filming The Grinch?

Mindy: The Grinch is still number one for me. It was amazing to be a part of it, but knowing that it’s coming every single year is exciting.

Universal Studios has really made The Grinch a huge holiday tradition.

Yeah, I love it. I’m really blessed.

So how was it birthing the Grinch?

Ah, well, you saw in the film how the baby drops from the sky but who really gave birth? … and we really don’t know!

When The Grinch arrives, you were throwing the annual Whoville Swingers party.

Yes, I realized it—it took a minute or three or four–when I went, ‘Oh,  I know why I’m doing this.’  I didn’t understand what that whole thing meant [when the characters throw their keys in a big fish bowl].

How was it working with Jim Carrey and everybody on the film?

Everybody was great. It’s just really hard with all the [facial prosthetic] stuff that you have to put on. But it was just a labor of love.

How long did the prosthetics take?

I think with Jim, his was like eight hours. Mine was something like three hours.

Is there going to be another Austin Powers film?

I don’t think so by now. I mean, every year it comes up and I don’t hear any good things. There’s always a little niche of something and then it’s like, okay, well guess that didn’t work.

What was your favorite memory of filming Austin Powers? Do you have a favorite line?

I love all of them. It’s like silly lines as [Frau Farbissina voice] “Ya, ya, ya, ya.” The movie gave me my career. I mean, I was working, but not very much. My career just bloomed when I did that role, so I was very excited.

Any fun moment on the set that you remember?

Myself and Mike [Myers], when we did the scene where I came in and said, ‘I have something to tell you—I’m late.’ and he’s says, ‘Well, that’s all right—you were just right on time.’ And then I go [Frau voice] ‘I’m l-a-t-e.’ And then he realizes what’s going on. So, it took us a while to get through it without laughing at each other!

I can imagine that the whole set was laughing all the time.

Pretty much! Pretty much!

There were three Austin Powers films. Which one was your favorite?

I want to say maybe the second one [Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]. I had more fun stuff to do.

Credit: Mike Pingel

Has there been anything interesting that a fan has brought you to sign that you’ve never seen before?

Oh my god! I just had somebody that came, and he had this doll made for me. It’s one of these character dolls made of Frau. During the movies, they didn’t make anything of my character [Mindy pulls out one-of-a-kind, professionally made doll of Frau Farbissina, her character from Austin Powers]. It’s really cool.

Did you keep anything from the sets?

No. Oh no, that’s not true. I have part of Frau’s outfit. I remember when I asked, ‘Hey, can I take that home?’ and I did. So, I have one of my outfits.

Courtesy POSE Photos and the Hollywood Show

And from The Grinch?

Oh, I do have that. I wasn’t supposed to. I took one [of her prosthetic noses], and you weren’t supposed to. But it’s up in my freezer. Because otherwise it would disintegrate so it just sits there. So, every time I go, I open my freezer and it’s just there. It’s just so silly.

What’s up next for you?

Just a lot of comic cons.  It’s just a hard time right now for actors. I’m auditioning and I have a couple of little things that I did a year ago waiting to see where those go.  Just keeping busy.

Going to write a book?

No!!! God no, I wouldn’t remember anything. I’m so bad!

To keep up to date on Mindy’s ongoing adventures, check out her Instagram. If you are in the Boston area, Mindy will be heading to My Funny Valentine, an evening of improvisation at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on February 14, 2026. Tickets are available here.

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