Mindy Sterling Biography: Nationality, Age, Sister, Net Worth, Siblings, Spouse, Movies

Mindy Sterling is a proud American comedy powerhouse, born in Paterson, New Jersey, whose sharp wit and unforgettable characters have lit up screens for over four decades.

Best known as the scheming Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers trilogy, she’s also won hearts as the strict Ms. Francine Briggs on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and as Linda Schwartz on The Goldbergs.

Profile

• Full Name: Mindy Lee Sterling
• Stage Name: Mindy Sterling
• Born: July 11, 1953
• Age: 71 years old
• Birthplace: Paterson, New Jersey, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Voice Actress, Comedian
• Height: 159 cm (5 ft 2½ in)
• Religion: Jewish
• Parents: Dick Sterling, Florence Adele “Bookie” Sterling (née Pushkin)
• Siblings: Mark Sterling
• Spouse: Brian Gadson
• Children: Max Gadson
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $4 million to $10 million

Early Life & Education

Mindy Sterling was born on July 11, 1953, in Paterson, New Jersey. Her father, Dick Sterling, was a nightclub comedian and actor who once partnered with Shecky Greene, while her mother, Florence Adele “Bookie” Sterling, was a dancer and showgirl.

Raised in an Ashkenazi Jewish household, Mindy’s ethnicity reflects her Jewish-American roots, and she practices Judaism, though she keeps her faith private, focusing on her craft.

She grew up with her brother, Mark Sterling, in Paterson before the family moved to Miami, Florida, where she immersed herself in the local theater scene.

At 13, her father enrolled her in acting classes, hoping she’d master Shakespeare, but Mindy found the Bard boring and leaned toward comedy instead.

Details about Mindy’s formal education are limited, but she likely attended high school in Miami after moving from Paterson.

She’s described as well-educated, possibly attending a local college, although no specific institution is named.

Career

Mindy Sterling’s career is a masterclass in American comedy, with over 200 credits across film, TV, voice acting, and theater.

She kicked off in 1973 with a recurring role on the syndicated kids’ show Dusty’s Treehouse, charming young audiences.

In 1981, she made her film debut as Fan #1 in The Devil and Max Devlin, alongside Bill Cosby. She followed this with roles in UFOria (1985) as Sister Oma and House (1986) as a woman in a bookstore.

From 1990 to 1991, she shone as a comedian on Nick at Nite’s sketch show On the Television, flexing her improv skills.

On TV, Mindy played Ms. Francine Briggs on iCarly (2007–2012), Principal Susan Skidmore on A.N.T. Farm (2011–2013), Mitzi Kinsky on Desperate Housewives (2010–2011), and Linda Schwartz on The Goldbergs (2017–2023).

She guest-starred as a wedding planner in Friends (1996, “The One with Barry and Mindy’s Wedding”), a casting director in Joey (2004), Judge Foodie on That’s So Raven, and a volleyball coach on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

Other credits include The Larry Sanders Show, Family Matters, Sister, Sister, Reno 911!, Legit (2013), and A Series of Unfortunate Events (2018).

Mindy’s voice work is legendary, voicing Ms. Endive in Chowder (2007–2010), Lin Beifong in The Legend of Korra (2012–2014), Morgana in Winx Club (2012), and characters in Invader Zim, Robot Chicken, The Loud House, and The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018–2019).

She earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for her role as Bobbie in the web series Con Man (2015–2017) and another for Secs and Execs (2017).

Awards & Nominations

• Nominated: Blockbuster Entertainment Award – Favorite Supporting Actress, Comedy (2000) for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
• Nominated: Primetime Emmy Award – Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (2017) for Con Man and Secs and Execs.
• Nominated: BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Award – Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series, Action/Drama (2015) for The Legend of Korra.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @mindyster

Personal Life

At 71, Mindy Sterling resides in Los Angeles, standing at 5 ft 2½ in (159 cm) with green eyes and red hair that match her fiery comedic spirit.

She’s single, having divorced her ex-husband, Brian Gadson, with whom she has a son, Max Gadson (born 1994).

Max, who has autism, followed in her footsteps as a stand-up comedian, starting in 2016, and Mindy calls him her “best gift.”

She raised him as a single mom, sharing a close bond that is evident in her Instagram posts, such as a New Year’s Eve photo where she called him her “date.” In 1998, Mindy was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram.

After a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and tamoxifen, she’s been cancer-free, advocating for awareness and sharing her story to inspire others. A devoted animal lover, she supports pet adoption and works with rescue organizations.

Mindy’s passion for cooking shines in demos and TV appearances, and she’s an advocate for mental health, openly discussing her struggles with anxiety and depression. Her New Jersey roots and relentless work ethic make her a proud American role model.

Film

• The Devil and Max Devlin (1981) – Fan #1 at Grammy’s
• UFOria (1985) – Sister Oma
• House (1986) – Woman in Bookstore
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) – Frau Farbissina
• Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) – Iris Clark
• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) – Frau Farbissina
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – Clarnella
• Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) – Frau Farbissina
• The Hunger Pains (2012) – Book trailer role
• Monsters University (2013) – Additional voices
• All About Nina (2018) – Amy
• The Grinch (2018) – Additional voices
• Bobcat Moretti (2023) – Role unspecified
• My Best Friend’s Famous (TBA) – Role unspecified
• Faith Based (TBA) – Role unspecified
• Dusty’s Treehouse (1973) – Recurring role
• On the Television (1990–1991) – Various characters
• The Larry Sanders Show (1992) – Writer, guest role
• Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993) – Clara Meade (2 episodes)
• Family Matters (1995) – Coach (1 episode)
• Sister, Sister (1995) – Denise’s Mom (1 episode)
• Friends (1996) – Wedding Planner (“The One with Barry and Mindy’s Wedding”)
• Ellen (1997) – June (1 episode)
• The Wild Thornberrys (2000) – Second Lemur/Newscaster (voice)
• Just Shoot Me! (2001) – Mrs. Lubitz (1 episode)
• Even Stevens (2001) – Ms. Lynch (1 episode)
• Hollywood Squares (2000, 2002) – Celebrity Guest
• She Spies (2002) – Ylva Gallo (1 episode)
• Hidden Hills (2003) – Female House Owner (1 episode)
• Reno 911! (2004) – Mrs. Leonard (2 episodes)
• Joey (2004) – Casting Director (“Joey and the Big Audition”)
• That’s So Raven (2003–2007) – Judge Foodie
• The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2008) – Volleyball Coach
• Robot Chicken (2006–2008) – Various voices (4 episodes)
• Chowder (2007–2010) – Ms. Endive (voice)
• iCarly (2007–2012) – Ms. Francine Briggs (recurring)
• My Own Worst Enemy (2008) – Arlene Scott
• Desperate Housewives (2010–2011) – Mitzi Kinsky (recurring)
• A.N.T. Farm (2011–2013) – Principal Susan Skidmore (recurring)
• The Legend of Korra (2012–2014) – Lin Beifong (voice)
• Winx Club (2012) – Morgana (voice)
• Legit (2013) – Janice Nugent
• Con Man (2015–2017) – Bobbie
• Secs and Execs (2017) – Shirla
• The Goldbergs (2017–2023) – Linda Schwartz (recurring)
• A Series of Unfortunate Events (2018) – Guest role
• The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018–2019) – Mrs. Sneedly (voice)
• St. Denis Medical (2024) – Dr. Shuttleworth
• The Vagina Monologues – Performer
• Steel Magnolias – Performer

Net Worth

Mindy Sterling’s net worth is estimated between $4 million and $10 million.

Her wealth comes from her extensive film career (Austin Powers, Drop Dead Gorgeous), TV (iCarly, The Goldbergs), voice acting (The Legend of Korra, Chowder), and theater.