Was also the Red Sox's good luck charm

Nelson de la Rosa, whose role in "The Island of Dr. Moreau" inspired the "Austin Powers" character Mini-Me, has died at the age of 38.

The 2-foot-4 man Dominican died of unknown causes in a Providence, Rhode Island hospital, report news sources. He first began feeling ill on Friday, Oct. 20 when he flew from Chile, where he had been working in a circus, to Miami. The next day, he then flew to New York, where two of his brothers live.

De la Rosa was born and raised in San Miguel. He first began his showbiz career in a 1987 Italian horror film playing a character named Ratman. He then moved on to a television career guest starring on Venezuela's "Sabado Sensacional" and then Univision's "Sabado Gigante."

In 1997, the "world's shortest actor" played Majai opposite Marlon Brando's title character in "The Island of Dr. Moreau" remake. The role inspired the creation of Mimi-Me, played by Verne Troyer, who appeared in the second and third "Austin Powers" films.

De la Rosa also became known as the Red Sox's good luck charm after he befriended fellow Dominican Pedro Martinez and began to hang out in the team's club house during the 2004 playoffs, when the they won their first World Series in 86 years.

He is survived by his wife, son, mother and five siblings. After an autopsy is performed, his body will be shipped back to the Dominican Republic, where his agent says it may be put on display in a museaum.