Hollywood funnyman Zach Galifianakis has a heart of gold. The 43-year-old star of the "Hangover" trilogy movies ditched his new wife in order to take a former homeless woman to the premiere of "The Hangover Part III" on Monday.
Before Galifianakis rose to stardom, he met Elizabeth "Mimi" Haist, 87, about 20 years ago at a Los Angeles Laundromat where she works for tips. In 1994 he moved into an apartment around the corner and became a regular visitor to Fox Laundry, where she volunteered. The two have remained friends since then. However, when the comic actor learned that she was homeless two years ago, he got her a one-bedroom apartment and began paying her rent.
Galifinakis also still stops by to take Mimi to lunch every few weeks, and even brings her to star-studded events, including the opening night of "The Hangover Part II" and "The Campaign."
"If he's in town, he takes me. Otherwise he lets me take a friend. I dress up nice and a friend helps me with my makeup. It's fun, not something I've ever dreamed I'd experience. The limo takes me home afterwards," Haist told the New York Daily News.
It's a remarkable change from her previous homelessness, and she calls the sweetheart actor "amazing."
Galifianakis also introduced Haist to Renee Zellweger, who furnished the octogenarian's apartment and buys her groceries, according to the Jewish Daily Forward. Haist, who was unfamiliar with the celebrated actress, called Zellweger, a "very sweet lady."
Haist told the Daily News Monday that she was happy to be Galifianakis' date for the premiere of the new "Hangover" film in Los Angeles.
"I'm looking forward to it, I like the excitement of it," said Haist,.
When asked if she's mistaken for Zach's grandmother, Haist joked that she's mistaken for his girlfriend.
The 43-year-old actor picked her up in a limo from the doorstep of her Santa Monica apartment, Haist said.
Galifianakis introduced also Haist to his "Hangover" co-star Bradley Cooper, whom Haist calls "cute."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
