One of the most beloved comedians, Zach Galifianakis is now a household name in Hollywood. But he did come from much humbler beginnings and had a very different life than he does now. But one woman has stayed in his life consistently.
Galifianakis moved to Los Angeles when he was first breaking out in comedy. Like any other star, he had to start small and work for his big break before he could call himself a celebrity. The comic achieved this by performing stand-up and taking on odd jobs.
Before he was cast in prominent roles like Alan in the television series “The Hangover,” he preferred to act in the back rooms of burger restaurants. Meeting Hollywood directors was important, but Galifianakis made other important acquaintances along the way as well.
The woman who provided him with entertainment during those years was someone he met in the most unlikely of settings, despite the fact that his occupations enhanced his life. As it happened, the couple would go on to form a strong alliance in the years to come.
Getting to know Mimi
In 1994, Galifianakis met the woman who would play a significant role in his life. When Marie “Mimi” Haist first met Galifianakis, she was volunteering at a laundry and living off of gratuities from patrons.
The “The Hangover” star frequently traveled to Fox Laundry because it was right across the corner from his house, where Haist was providing assistance. The two stayed close even though it had been more than 20 years since their initial encounter.
Haist had previously been married, although she had been unmarried for some time before meeting Galifianakis. After her divorce, she was left homeless and began looking for a place to live or work. The two objects were found together in one place by her.
Haist began working at the laundry, and her manager allowed her to reside there for more than twenty years. Haist revealed that she would take naps in between the washing and drying machines to hide from clients.
When Galifianakis found out that Haist was staying at the laundry, he told her that he would find her a suitable place to live. This was after the two became friends. Galifianakis, in spite of his lack of success thus far, found Haist an apartment and paid for it.
Haist had assistance from Reneé Zellwegger, who Galifianakis later introduced to her, in furnishing her home. Despite Haist’s lack of knowledge about Galifianakis, she was excited to meet Zellwegger and was able to identify her immediately.
Though Haist acknowledges that Galifianakis has impacted her life, she is also thankful for another individual. Haist said the following in response to Zellwegger and Galifianakis’ contributions:
“I truly value what Zach and Renée have accomplished.” I have a bed of my own and a place to reside today. Now that I have money, my social security helps me pay my phone bill and buy food.
The Red Carpet Experience
Meeting Haist had an impact on Galifianakis, but meeting the rising celebrity had a permanent impact on Haist. By the time Galifianakis scored his breakthrough role in “The Hangover” in 2009, the two had developed a strong relationship.
Thanks to this link, Haist now has more opportunities to appreciate life’s finer things. If Haist had no one to go with him to a movie premiere or other Hollywood event, Galifianakis would ask him out on dates.
Galifianakis says Haist runs events well, but even with his high public image, he hasn’t become used to parties in Hollywood. Galifianakis said that it was enjoyable to accompany Haist on the red carpet and disclosed:
It’s fun to watch her in that setting. She somehow fits in in a really strange way.
Haist voiced her thoughts about the red carpet treatment she has received since meeting Galifianakis, adding, “If he’s in town, he takes me. My friend does my makeup after I get all dolled up. It’s fun; I never would have thought to experience it. I’m taken home by limo after that.
While Haist had a good time at the gatherings, other individuals also like being there. Despite the fact that Galifianakis dislikes stepping on red carpets, he says that having Haist alongside him makes him feel better.
Haist shared some of Galifianakis’ enjoyment of being in the limelight. A documentary about Haist called “Queen Mimi” was made in 2016. Yaniv Rokah, who directed the documentary, stated that he was so enthralled with Haist’s story that he wanted to make a movie based on it.
Speaking about how he met Haist and decided to find out more about her life, he said the following:
“I was interested in the plot, who she was, and why she was there.”
The customers of the laundromat knew Haist when the movie came out and told her she was a famous person. However, Haist continued as usual, only sometimes breaking from her regimen while posing for pictures on the red carpet beside Galifianakis.
Even after her name became widely-known in and around Hollywood, she kept cleaning the laundromat machines because she believed no one else could do it as well as she could.
Haist had a difficult life, yet she never considered herself to be homeless. She asserted that she never allowed herself to get depressed about anything or associate with the wrong crowd.
Haist claimed that even though she didn’t think this to be true and was just going about her regular business, her friends would tell her when they came to visit and tell her that she was famous. Haist tragically died at the end of 2021, but her documentary pays tribute to her life and legacy.
