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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 71)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1973–present
Spouse(s) Brian Gadson (divorced)
Children 1

Mindy Lee Sterling (born July 11, 1953) is a talented American actress. She is well-known for playing many different characters in movies and TV shows. You might recognize her from her live-action roles or her voice-over work.

Mindy Sterling played Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers movies (1997–2002). She also appeared in films like Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).

On TV, she was Francine Briggs on the Nickelodeon show iCarly (2007–2012). She also played Susan Skidmore on the Disney Channel series A.N.T. Farm (2011–2013). More recently, she was Linda Schwartz on The Goldbergs (2017–2023).

Mindy Sterling has also lent her voice to many cartoon characters. She voiced Ms. Endive on Chowder (2007–2010). She was also the voice of Lin Beifong on The Legend of Korra (2012–2014). You might have heard her in movies like Monsters University (2013) and the Despicable Me series.

Early Life and Beginnings

Mindy Lee Sterling was born on July 11, 1953, in Paterson, New Jersey. Her father, Dick Sterling, was an actor and comedian. Her mother, Florence Adele “Bookie” Sterling, was a dancer. Mindy also has a brother named Mark. Her family is Jewish.

Around 1973, Mindy started her acting career. She had a role on a children's TV show called Dusty's Treehouse. Later, she joined a comedy group in Los Angeles called The Groundlings. This group is famous for its improv comedy.

A Career Full of Characters

Mindy Sterling has been in many films and TV shows. She became very famous for playing Frau Farbissina. This character was the small, bossy helper of Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery movie. People really loved her performance in this role.

From 1990 to 1991, she was a comedian in a funny show called On the Television. She also played Arlene Scott, Christian Slater's secretary, in the show My Own Worst Enemy. Mindy was also Judge Foodie on the Disney show That's So Raven. She played a volleyball coach on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody too.

In 1996, she appeared in an episode of Friends as a wedding planner. In 2004, she was a casting director on an episode of Joey. She also returned as Frau Farbissina in Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Mindy Sterling (red carpet)
Sterling on the red carpet at a movie premiere in Los Angeles (2011)

In 2000 and 2002, Mindy was a guest on the game show Hollywood Squares. She played a townsperson in the live-action movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. She also provided extra voices for the animated movie The Grinch in 2018.

Voice Acting Roles

Mindy Sterling is also well-known for her voice acting. From 2007 to 2010, she voiced Ms. Endive in the cartoon Chowder. Ms. Endive was a main rival to the character Mung Daal.

She also voiced Lin Beifong in The Legend of Korra. Lin Beifong was the police chief of Republic City. Mindy also had a repeating voice role as Morgana in the Nickelodeon version of Winx Club in 2012.

Her voice can be heard in many other cartoons and animated movies. These include Invader Zim, Ice Age: The Meltdown, Robot Chicken, and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

Teen Sitcom Success

Mindy Sterling has been very popular in teen sitcoms. She played Ms. Francine Briggs on the hit show iCarly. She was also Principal Susan Skidmore on A.N.T. Farm.

In 2010, she had a repeating role as Mitzi Kinsky, a grumpy neighbor, in Desperate Housewives. In 2018, she appeared in the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events. From 2017 to 2023, she played Linda Schwartz on the TV show The Goldbergs.

Personal Life

Mindy Sterling has one son. He is from her previous marriage to Brian Gadson.

Filmography

Film Roles

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

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

Video Game Roles

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Spider-Man 2 Aunt May, Female Pedestrian, Scientist
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

Mindy Sterling has been recognized for her acting. She has received nominations for her work.

Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Primetime Emmy Awards 2017 Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series The Bay Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mindy Sterling para niños

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