Mike Myers Reveals Dr. Evil’s Surprising Inspiration from Lorne Michaels in ‘Austin Powers’

More than two decades since he first graced our screens, Mike Myers is divulging the origins of one of his most memorable roles.

While he has acknowledged that Lorne Michaels had some influence, the former Saturday Night Live star shared that the infamous Austin Powers antagonist Dr. Evil was primarily modeled after a different, very specific character.

“Actually, it was always Donald Pleasance,” Myers revealed to Vulture, pointing to the actor’s portrayal of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice.

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Myers mentioned there was just a “slight overlap” with the SNL head honcho, under whom he served on the iconic NBC live comedy series from 1989 until 1995.

“Being Canadian myself, just like him, he spoke with a polished Canadian accent, whereas mine is from Scarborough,” he said. “Once he asked, ‘Mike, would you like to come to the Hamptons?’ My first thought was, ‘Am I about to be let go?’ But I went, and upon arrival, it was like, ‘You can stay in Mick’s room, or would you prefer Keith’s room?’ To which I responded, ‘I’m good with either, even the couch or the car!’”

“During that trip, he hosted a big dinner with everyone. It was my first time in the Hamptons, surrounded by industry leaders and even those who owned very basic elements of life, like, ‘Meet Bill Smith, he’s the owner of bay salt.’ I joked, ‘There’s the guy who invented the question mark. And next to him, that’s the owner of Lake Ontario. Beside them, the creator of the pregnant pause, or so I … presume.’”

Myers added, “While introducing myself, I joked, ‘Wow, Mr. Gatsby, thanks for having me! All these people are incredible! I always see those parties across the lake by that big green light!’ It was a hit, and Lorne just looked around, seemingly thinking, ‘My latest creation.’”

Portraying multiple characters, including Dr. Evil and the lead MI-6 agent, Myers featured in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).