Sterling joins comedic cast in “˜Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch’
By Daily Bruin Staff
Nov. 19, 2000 9:00 p.m.
 Photo courtesy of Lori De Waal & Associates
Mindy Sterling can be seen next on the big screen
in "Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas" which stars Jim
Carrey.
By Antero Garcia
Daily Bruin Contributor
Juggling being a Groundling, Dr. Evil’s screaming
assistant, the biddy who raises the Grinch, and the mother of a
5-year-old son is no easy task for Mindy Sterling.
Sterling bases her performance career on the improvisation
skills she built as a long time member of the Groundlings, as well
as in her comedic roles in such films as “Austin Powers:
International Man of Mystery,” its sequel “Austin
Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” and “Drop Dead
Gorgeous.”
Sterling can currently be seen in “Dr. Seuss’ How
the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
“I play a little old biddy who helps raise the Grinch from
when he was a baby,” said Sterling in a recent interview.
She wasn’t picky when it came to getting a role in the new
movie.
“I would have done anything just to get a chance to be in
a movie Ron Howard was doing, and I knew this would be
spectacular,” she said.
When speaking of actor/director Ron Howard, Sterling’s
voice bubbled with enthusiasm.
“He is just a very generous gentleman who has been on both
sides of the camera,” she said. “He understands actors
and is very comforting.”
In addition to a legendary director, “The Grinch”
also features a very prominent cast, including comedic superstar
Jim Carrey. According to Sterling, although she was excited about
working with Carrey, it was a lackluster experience.
“Jim was there to do his work. There wasn’t a lot of
improvising or playing around with other actors,” Sterling
said. “He had on this very difficult makeup and suit. He
needed to come in and do his stuff so he could get out of
it.”
On the other hand, Sterling’s experience working with Mike
Meyers in both “Austin Powers” movies was much more
relaxed. Improvisation, in many scenes, added comedic twists that
were not premeditated.
“Mike did more of the improv. I just went along with what
he did,” Sterling said.
Her character, Frau Farbissina, was not originally scripted to
be the mother of Dr. Evil’s son. The final outcome was the
result of improvised dialogue between Sterling and Meyers.
Though there was not as much improvisation on “The
Grinch,” Sterling said that the cast still had fun and became
very close.
“I think we really had to be there for one another because
of the long hours, the makeup, the wardrobe and the wigs,”
she said.
Although the making of the movie was very rigorous, Sterling
said that the effort is reflected in the finished product.
“Jim is just phenomenal,” she said after seeing the
final version of “The Grinch.” “He takes the
Grinch to a whole new level, and (the film) is also visually
beautiful to look at.”
The story’s background is also an improvement to the
original Dr. Seuss story. Much more attention is paid to the origin
of the Grinch, and his interaction with Little Cindy Lou-Who, one
of the young characters in the movie.
In addition to her comedic feature performances, Sterling also
has a long running involvement with sketch comedy troupe, the
Groundlings.
“I have been with the Groundlings for 10 years, and have
started teaching there,” she said.
According to Sterling, though teaching a spontaneous art may
seem unstructured, the Groundling curriculum and overall format is
very organized.
“We definitely have a very structured program in terms of
what we teach (new Groundlings),” Sterling said.
Being both a former student and a current teacher, Sterling is
keenly proud of the Groundlings’ accomplishments.
“The Groundlings have been around for a long time, and
we’ve put together a really good program,” she said.
“You have to appreciate everything we have learned to make a
good improv scene.”
Despite the fact that Sterling has largely based her career on
improvisation, she also enjoys the popularity she has gained from
working on scripted films.
“I like to do both,” she said. “I like to have
a script but also be able to improvise around it. I’d hate to
have to stick to a script and not have the freedom to let my
character play a little.”
Whether it is scripted or improvised, Sterling has always felt a
natural affinity for performing.
“It is something I kind of fell into,” she said.
“I was very secure with it and found my niche. There really
wasn’t anything I was interested in or did any
better.”
Acting has been Sterling’s calling her entire life. Though
not a trained vocalist, she also sings when her roles require
it.
“My first production was in the sixth grade,” she
said. “It was an opera!”
Although she was raised in Florida, Sterling moved to Los
Angeles to help push along her career as a comedian.
Sterling’s family background greatly affected her decision
to pursue an acting career.
“My family is all silly and wacky,” Sterling said.
“My dad was a comedian, singer and entertainer, and my mom
was a dancer.”
Following her dreams, Sterling proceeded to take acting classes
throughout junior high and high school. After high school Sterling
went to a junior college where she continued to take the few
classes that interested her.
“My first year, I took the courses you are supposed to
take if you are going to be a teacher, and I wasn’t doing
well in all of my other academic courses,” Sterling recalled.
“I decided my second year I would only take the courses I
wanted to take.”
Now settled in Los Angeles, Sterling is married and has a
5-year-old son. When confronted with the notoriety of his mother,
Sterling says her son thinks it’s fun.
“(He) gets a big kick out of it for about five minutes,
and then it’s “˜Mommy!’ ““ and you are back
to being a mom,” she said.
No matter how much fun Sterling has with her escapades helping
Dr. Evil as Frau, or bringing up the grouchiest green creatures to
ever attempt to steal Who-ville’s Christmas, Sterling enjoys
motherhood the most.
“Mom is my favorite role to be,” she said.
FILM: Sterling can be seen in “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
Who Stole Christmas,” playing in theaters nationwide.
