# 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.
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 Ms. 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), the Despicable Me franchise (2015–2022), and The Grinch (2018).

## Early life

Sterling was born into a Jewish family in Paterson, New Jersey on July 11, 1953. Her father Dick Sterling was an actor and nightclub comedian who collaborated with Shecky Greene and Sammy Shore, and her mother Florence Adele “Bookie” Sterling (née Pushkin) was a dancer. She has one brother, Mark Sterling. Sterling grew up in Miami.
As a child, she was terribly shy so she took Drama in high school to “get out of my insecurity and my shell”. She was in several plays throughout high school.

## Career

Around 1973, Sterling landed a recurring role on the syndicated children's series Dusty's Treehouse. She later joined the L.A.-based comedy troupe The Groundlings. 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, that brought Sterling high praise for her work in films.
From 1990 to 1991, she was one of the comedians in the satirical show On the Television. Sterling played Christian Slater's secretary Arlene Scott in the show My Own Worst Enemy. She also played Judge Foodie on the Disney show That's So Raven and a volleyball coach on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. She appeared as the wedding planner on the Friends episode "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding" in 1996, and in 2004, as the casting director on the episode "Joey and the Big Audition" of Joey. In 1999, following the success of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Sterling appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous (also 1999), and later reprised the character Frau Farbissina in Austin Powers in Goldmember for the third and final time.
In 2000, Sterling appeared as a celebrity guest on Hollywood Squares. She returned to the show in 2002. She played one of the townspeople in the live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and also provided additional voices in the 2018 CGI version, The Grinch. Between 2002 and 2004, Sterling made guest appearances on the Donny Osmond version of the game show Pyramid.
From 2007 to 2010, Sterling voiced Ms. 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, 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. 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. In 2010, she had a recurring role as bitter neighbour Mitzi Kinsky in Desperate Housewives. 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. In 2018, she appeared in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events. From 2017 to 2023, she appeared on the sitcom The Goldbergs as Linda Schwartz, the mother of Geoff Schwartz.

## Personal life

Sterling has a son from her previous marriage to Brian Gadson.
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.

## 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 | | |
| 1995 | Man of the Year | Cindee | |
| 1997 | Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery | Frau Farbissina | |
| 1997 | Road Rules: All Stars | Herself | |
| 1999 | Idle Hands | Lady Bowler | |
| 1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Frau Farbissina | |
| 1999 | Drop Dead Gorgeous | Iris Clark | |
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Clarnella | |
| 2001 | Barstow 2008 | Mona Finch | |
| 2001 | The Sky Is Falling | Doris | |
| 2001 | 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 | |
| 2006 | Domestic Import | Bernice Kimmelman | |
| 2006 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | Female Ox | Voice |
| 2006 | Pro-Choice | Danny's Mother | Short film |
| 2006 | The Amazing Screw-On Head | Aggie, Geraldine | Voice |
| 2007 | Frank | Monica Loveless | |
| 2007 | Reno 911!: Miami | Spoder's Mom | |
| 2007 | The Captain | Nedra | Short film |
| 2007 | Surf's Up | Doris Flipkitz | Voice, Deleted scenes |
| 2007 | Goldfish | Teacher | Short film |
| 2007 | Beyond the Pale | Mrs. Plotzkin | |
| 2008 | Wieners | Mrs. Applebaum | |
| 2008 | Happy Wednesday | Deana Williams | Short film |
| 2008 | Extreme Movie | Jane | |
| 2009 | Spring Breakdown | Lavonne | |
| 2009 | The Big Idea | Iris Pikarski | Short film |
| 2009 | Jesus People: The Movie | Claudia | |
| 2010 | Alpha and Omega | Debbie | Voice |
| 2011 | The Newest Pledge | President Dumervile | |
| 2011 | Monster Mutt | Helen | |
| 2011 | Mars Needs Moms | The Supervisor | Voice |
| 2011 | Transformers: Dark of the Moon | Female Insurance Agent | |
| 2012 | Any Day Now | Miss Mills | |
| 2012 | The Dog Who Saved the Holidays | Grandma Bannister | Video |
| 2012 | 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 |
| 2013 | 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 |
| 2015 | Minions | Additional Voices | |
| 2016 | The Good Neighbor | Mae | |
| 2017 | Despicable Me 3 | Additional Voices | |
| 2017 | Batman and Harley Quinn | Project Supervisor | Voice |
| 2017 | The 60 Yard Line | Linda Zagowski | |
| 2018 | Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss | Beatrice | |
| 2018 | All About Nina | Amy | |
| 2018 | 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 |
| 1991 | Riders in the Sky | Lois, Stage Mother | 2 episodes |
| 1991 | 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" |
| 1995 | Beyond Family | Mom Zumwalt | Television film |
| 1996 | Friends | Wedding Planner | Episode: "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding" |
| 1996 | Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher | Mrs. Fleckner | Episode: "Some Assembly Required" |
| 1997 | Ellen | June Haddassi | Episode: "Makin' Whoopie" |
| 1997 | Alright Already | Maxine | Episode: "Again with the Black Box" |
| 2000 | The Wild Thornberrys | Lemur #2, Newscaster | Voice, episode: "Bogged Down" |
| 2000 | Manhattan, AZ | Lona | Recurring role; 8 episodes |
| 2001 | Just Shoot Me! | Mrs. Lubitz | Episode: "The Gift Piggy" |
| 2001 | Even Stevens | Ms. Lynch | Episode: "Uncle Chuck" |
| 2002 | Invader Zim | Countess von Verminstrasser | Voice, episode: "Lice" |
| 2002 | As Told by Ginger | Ms. Powell, Song Leader | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2002 | She Spies | Ylva Gallo | Episode: "The Martini Shot" |
| 2003 | Hidden Hills | | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | On the Spot | Fifi | 5 episodes |
| 2004 | Reno 911! | Mrs. Leonard | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Joey | The Casting Director | Episode: "Joey and the Big Audition" |
| 2004 | 30 Days Until I'm Famous | Lupe Horowitz | Television film |
| 2005 | Unfabulous | Superintendent Jackie Bell | Episode: "The Grey Area" |
| 2005 | That's So Raven | Judge Foodie | Episode: "Food for Thought" |
| 2005 | Cuts | Ms. Fennell | Episode: "Hair Tease" |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Enid Clinton | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2006 | The King of Queens | Sherry | Episode: "Gambling N' Diction" |
| 2006 | Lovespring International | Monica | Episode: "The Loser Club" |
| 2006 | The Replacements | Scoutleader Susan | Voice, episode: "The Jerky Girls" |
| 2006 | The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Sister Rose | Episode: "Volley Dad" |
| 2006 | American Dragon: Jake Long | Pix McGee, Mrs. Grumplestock | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Haversham Hall | Headmistress Moira Grodnickel | Television film |
| 2006 | Come On Over | Grandy | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Getting Played | Lydia | Television film |
| 2006–2007 | Higglytown Heroes | Aunt Mellie | Voice, recurring role |
| 2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Nurse | Episode: "The Bat Mitzvah" |
| 2007 | 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" |
| 2008 | My Name Is Earl | Mrs. Zaks | Episode: "The Magic Hour" |
| 2008 | Rita Rocks | Mrs. Portman, Towel customer | Episode: "Take This Job and Shove It" |
| 2008 | My Own Worst Enemy | Arlene Scott | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2008 | Worst Week | Elka | Episode: "The Gift" |
| 2008 | 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" |
| 2010 | Svetlana | Mama | Episode: "Throw Mama Back on the Plane" |
| 2010 | Warren the Ape | Judge | Episode: "Anger Management" |
| 2010 | Glory Daze | Ticket Lady | Episode: "What's Love Got to Nude with It" |
| 2010 | U.S.S. Alabama | Dr. Lila Corn | Television film |
| 2010 | Dick Tracy Special | Bernice | Television film |
| 2010 | Lilly's Light | Peaches | Television film |
| 2010 | 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" |
| 2011 | The Looney Tunes Show | Beauty School Instructor | Voice, episode: "Beauty School" |
| 2011 | The League | Nadia | Episode: "The Out of Towner" |
| 2011 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Dean Fenk, Mom, Abigail Gluck | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2011 | 2 Broke Girls | Mrs. Stein | Episode: "And the Very Christmas Thanksgiving" |
| 2011 | 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 |
| 2012 | 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 |
| 2013 | Legit | Janice Nugent | Recurring role; 14 episodes |
| 2013 | Raising Hope | Prosecutor | Episode: "Adoption" |
| 2014 | Good Morning Today | Dr. Wilma Frank | Episode: "#1.20" |
| 2014 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Snow Leopard | Voice, episode: "The First Five" |
| 2014 | Franklin & Bash | Irina Tanya | Episode: "Spirits in the Material World" |
| 2014 | A to Z | Aunt Jo | Episode: "D Is for Debbie" |
| 2015 | Breadwinners | Buhdeuce's Mom | Voice, episode: "Birds of a Feather" |
| 2015 | The Soul Man | Ms. Stroman | Episode: "Who Let the Dog In?" |
| 2015 | Pig Goat Banana Cricket | Brainy Jane, Brainy Jane's Brain | Voice, episode: "The Tooth of My True Love" |
| 2015 | Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! | Lady Pipi Wuthering | Voice, episode: "Party Like It's 1899" |
| 2015 | Young & Hungry | Matilda | Episode: "Young & Christmas" |
| 2015 | TripTank | Caller, Fisherman Face, Older Woman | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2015–2017 | Black-ish | Pamela | 4 episodes |
| 2015–2017 | Con Man | Bobbie | Main cast; 16 episodes Web series |
| 2016 | Animals. | Psychic Lady | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2016 | 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 | Sex & Execs | Shirla | Television film |
| 2017 | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Ryner | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2017 | School of Rock | Gloria | Episode: "School of Trust" |
| 2017 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Guest diner and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society contributor; Episode: "It's All Gravy" |
| 2017 | 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" |
| 2018 | Life in Pieces | Desiree | Episode: "Reading Egg Nurse Neighbor" |
| 2018 | One Day at a Time | Delia | Episode: "Citizen Lydia" |
| 2018 | A Series of Unfortunate Events | Elder Annabelle | Episode: "The Vile Village" |
| 2018 | Nobodies | Deborah Diamond | Episode: "Kristen's Wiig" |
| 2018 | 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" |
| 2020 | 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 games

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Aunt May, Female Pedestrian, Scientist | |
| 2004 | 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 |
| Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | 2000 | Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2000 | Choice Movie Chemistry | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series | The Bay | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series | Sex & Execs | Nominated |