Dr. Goldmember

Lore & Background

Goldmember's origins trace back to a tragic industrial accident in which he lost his genitalia during a smelting incident, leading him to adopt the name 'Goldmember' after receiving a golden prosthetic. He is a sometime ally of Dr. Evil, united by their shared goal of global conquest. In 2002, from his lair beneath the Hollywood Sign, accessed via a secret entrance in the sign itself, Goldmember unveils a plan involving a tractor beam device capable of pulling a giant meteorite into Earth. His base of operations in 1975 is Studio 69, a roller disco club in London where he maintains control over his criminal empire.

In Their Own Story

In 2002, Dr. Evil introduces Goldmember to his lieutenants as the partner who will help pull a meteor into Earth using a tractor beam power unit. Austin Powers arrests them both but is later forced to release Dr. Evil to learn that Goldmember has kidnapped his father, Nigel Powers. The crew of Nigel's yacht were found with their genitalia painted gold, serving as the only clue. Austin travels back to 1975 and infiltrates Studio 69 in New York City, where he reunites with Foxxy Cleopatra. Although he locates his father, Goldmember escapes with Nigel through a time machine back to 2002. Later, at a factory in Tokyo run by Mr. Roboto, Goldmember steals the command unit for the tractor beam and flees to Dr. Evil's submarine.

Reader's Guide

Goldmember serves as the primary threat that unites Austin Powers and his former nemesis Dr. Evil. His most defining trait is his obsession with gold, which extends from his prosthetic genitalia to his vehicle and the devices he uses. He commands a powerful tractor beam and utilizes a time machine to shift between eras. During the climax on Dr. Evil's submarine, Goldmember reveals that his golden genitalia actually serve as a spare key for the tractor beam controls. While Austin and Dr. Evil work together to reverse the beam's polarity and destroy the meteor, Goldmember is arrested after his plan fails.

Did You Know?

• The character's name originates from a smelting accident where he lost his genitalia and received a golden prosthetic.
• Mike Myers plays Goldmember throughout the entire film; there is no cameo by John Travolta as the character.
• Goldmember's Dutch origins were inspired by an HBO episode featuring a man who operated a 'sex barn' north of Rotterdam.
• His lair is located beneath the Hollywood Sign, accessed via a secret entrance in the sign itself, where he unveils his plan to Dr. Evil and his henchmen in 2002.
• The villain uses his golden genitalia as a spare key to activate the tractor beam during the film's climax.