# Mindy Sterling
**Mindy Sterling** (Mindy Lee Sterling, born 1953 in [Paterson, New Jersey](https://www.edgepedia.org/paterson-new-jersey)) is an American character actress and voice performer whose best-known screen role is Frau Farbissina, Dr. Evil's shrieking Germanic henchwoman in the three [Austin Powers](https://www.edgepedia.org/austin-powers) films (1997–2002).[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) She is also widely known for live-action television roles on iCarly and The Goldbergs and for voicing Lin Beifong on the animated series [The Legend of Korra](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-legend-of-korra).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953, Paterson, New Jersey; raised in Miami, Florida[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) |
| Signature role | Frau Farbissina in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) • [3](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/) |
| Comedy training | Member of the Groundlings improv troupe since c. 1984, as performer and teacher[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) |
| Major TV roles | Francine Briggs (iCarly, 2007–2012), Mitzi Kinsky (Desperate Housewives, 2010–2011), Susan Skidmore (A.N.T. Farm, 2011–2013), Bobbie (Con Man, 2015–2017), Linda Schwartz (The Goldbergs, 2017–2023)[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) |
| Voice roles | Ms. Endive (Chowder, 2007–2010), Lin Beifong (The Legend of Korra, 2012–2014), Morgana (Winx Club, 2012)[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) |
| Emmy nominations | Two, in 2017, for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series: Bobbie in Con Man and Shirla in secs & EXECS[4](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/mindy-sterling) |
| Other recognition | Blockbuster Entertainment Award nomination, favorite supporting actress, comedy, 2000, for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) |
## Background and training
Sterling grew up in an entertainment family. Her father, Dick Sterling, was a singer and stand-up comedian who had partnered with [Shecky Greene](https://www.edgepedia.org/shecky-greene); her mother was a dancer and showgirl known as "Bookie".[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) • [5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/) At 13 her father arranged private Shakespeare lessons for her, an experience she later recalled with little fondness, though he encouraged her performing and she credits him with her comic timing.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/) • [6](https://industrycentral.net/features/working_actors/mindy_sterling) She appeared in community theater and dinner theater productions in Miami, then moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, working first through a commercial agent and local theater.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) • [7](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/mindy-sterling-on-improv-training-and-observing/)
The decisive turn came through improvisation. She joined the Groundlings, the Los Angeles improv and sketch company, around 1984, later teaching there and occasionally directing improv.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) • [8](https://www.independent.com/2018/04/12/mindy-sterling-talks-drop-dead-gorgeous/) In interviews she has described the troupe as the place where she made most of her professional connections and blossomed as a character performer, watching and working alongside actors such as [Phil Hartman](https://www.edgepedia.org/phil-hartman), Edie McClurg, Paul Reubens, and [Lisa Kudrow](https://www.edgepedia.org/lisa-kudrow).[7](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/mindy-sterling-on-improv-training-and-observing/) • [8](https://www.independent.com/2018/04/12/mindy-sterling-talks-drop-dead-gorgeous/) • [3](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/) She has said she never performed stand-up, preferring scene work with partners.[8](https://www.independent.com/2018/04/12/mindy-sterling-talks-drop-dead-gorgeous/)
## Austin Powers and film work
After nearly two decades of film and television work with little public recognition, Sterling's breakout came as Frau Farbissina in [Mike Myers](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-myers)'s 1997 spy spoof [Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery](https://www.edgepedia.org/austin-powers-international-man-of-mystery), the shrill Germanic cohort of [Dr. Evil](https://www.edgepedia.org/dr-evil), and she reprised the character in the sequels The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).[3](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) The role drew on her fluent German and her skill at extreme characters.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/) In the same period she took a substantial role as Iris Clark, the pageant-running sidekick of Kirstie Alley's character, in the beauty-pageant satire Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), appeared in the horror comedy Idle Hands (1999) with her Austin Powers co-star Seth Green, and played Clarnella, under heavy prosthetics, in Ron Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).[3](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling)
Her film career since has run largely through supporting comic parts, including roles in All About Nina (2018) and Bobcat Moretti (2023), and voice work in animated features such as [Alpha and Omega](https://www.edgepedia.org/alpha-and-omega) (2010), [Monsters University](https://www.edgepedia.org/monsters-university) (2013), the [Despicable Me](https://www.edgepedia.org/despicable-me) franchise (2015–2022), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), and The Grinch (2018).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling)
## Television and voice acting
Sterling's first attempt at series-regular work was the short-lived improvisation-based WB sitcom On the Spot (2003), in which she played Fifi.[3](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/) • [1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953) More lasting were recurring characters: teacher Ms. Francine Briggs on Nickelodeon's iCarly from its first season (2007–2012), nasty neighbor Mitzi Kinsky on [Desperate Housewives](https://www.edgepedia.org/desperate-housewives) (2010–2011), principal Susan Skidmore on [Disney Channel](https://www.edgepedia.org/disney-channel)'s A.N.T. Farm (2011–2013), Bobbie on the web series Con Man (2015–2017), and Linda Schwartz on ABC's The Goldbergs (2017–2023), alongside fellow Groundlings alumna [Wendi McLendon-Covey](https://www.edgepedia.org/wendi-mclendon-covey).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) • [9](https://groundlings.com/people/mindy-sterling) She has also guested widely, including turns on The Larry Sanders Show, Friends, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Black-ish, Legit, and Grace and Frankie.[3](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/) • [9](https://groundlings.com/people/mindy-sterling)
Voice acting became a staple. She voiced the pompous chef Ms. Endive on Cartoon Network's Chowder (2007–2010) and, most prominently, Police Chief Lin Beifong on Nickelodeon's The Legend of Korra (2012–2014), a performance noted for its range against her comic screen persona; she also voiced Morgana in the Nickelodeon version of Winx Club (2012) and characters on series including The Loud House, Scooby-Doo, American Dad!, Family Guy, and The Great North.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling) • [9](https://groundlings.com/people/mindy-sterling) • [10](https://www.salom.com.tr/salomTurkey/haber/138970/mindy-sterling-a-life-in-laughter-and-goodness)
## Recognition
In 2017 Sterling became a double Emmy nominee, cited twice in the same category, Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, for playing Bobbie in Con Man and Shirla in secs & EXECS.[4](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/mindy-sterling) Earlier, the 2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards nominated her as favorite supporting actress in comedy for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953)
## Personal life
Sterling was married to Brian Gadson; their son, Max Gadson, was born in 1994 and began performing stand-up comedy in 2016.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/) She stands 5 feet 2½ inches (1.59 m).[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/) She has spoken publicly about being a breast cancer survivor and about caring for her father through his illness, emphasizing how important it is to talk about cancer and the feelings surrounding it.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/) She still returns to the Groundlings to teach, perform, and direct improv occasionally.[8](https://www.independent.com/2018/04/12/mindy-sterling-talks-drop-dead-gorgeous/) • [10](https://www.salom.com.tr/salomTurkey/haber/138970/mindy-sterling-a-life-in-laughter-and-goodness)
Recent credits include guest starring as Laurie in the premiere of the NBC comedy St. Denis Medical (2024) and the voice of Luisa in The Legend of Vox Machina.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling)
## References
1. [Sterling, Mindy 1953–, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/sterling-mindy-1953)
2. [Mindy Sterling, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/26769/mindy-sterling)
3. [Mindy Sterling, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mindy-sterling/)
4. [Mindy Sterling, Emmy Awards and Nominations, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/mindy-sterling)
5. [Mindy Sterling Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827565/bio/)
6. [Mindy Sterling – Always busy acting!, IndustryCentral](https://industrycentral.net/features/working_actors/mindy_sterling)
7. [Mindy Sterling on Improv, Training and Observing, Daily Actor](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/mindy-sterling-on-improv-training-and-observing/)
8. [Mindy Sterling Talks 'Drop Dead Gorgeous', Santa Barbara Independent](https://www.independent.com/2018/04/12/mindy-sterling-talks-drop-dead-gorgeous/)
9. [Mindy Sterling, The Groundlings](https://groundlings.com/people/mindy-sterling)
10. [Mindy Sterling: A Life in Laughter and Goodness, Şalom Turkey](https://www.salom.com.tr/salomTurkey/haber/138970/mindy-sterling-a-life-in-laughter-and-goodness)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames Sm to Su*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license