Zach Galifianakis met a homeless woman in the late '90s — and secretly paid her rent for 27 years

Zach Galifianakis is known globally for his roles in the hit comedy franchise "The Hangover" and roasting celebs on "Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis." That's why, his heartfelt act of generosity, which he even tried to hide, came as a pleasant surprise to most of his fans. Years ago, when he was just starting his career in Hollywood, Galifianakis made a friend named Marie "Mimi" Haist, a woman who had been homeless for more than two decades and was living at a laundromat in Santa Monica, California. Haist slept between washers and dryers while she earned a living by helping customers. Out of sheer kindness, Galifianakis paid her rent for as many as 27 years, offering her stability without seeking attention for his deed.

Aspiring filmmaker Yaniv Rokah first came across Haist while working as a barista, and had no idea that her story would inspire his journey in cinema. Struck by her resilience, he went on to film 'Queen Mimi,' a documentary capturing her life. Locals had long known her as the Queen of Montana, which was a nod to the street where she spent more than two decades living inside a laundromat. As reported by People Magazine, the director said, “I remember thinking, ‘Who is this older woman who’s working at a laundromat seven days a week? And why does she seem so happy all the time?’ Here I am struggling to make it in Hollywood, working at a coffee shop, and across the street, there’s this ball of fire, like a pink-wearing, singing, dancing diva who turns out to be homeless.”

What started with casual iPhone recordings soon turned into a four-year passion project for Rokah. Haist had also met actress Renée Zellweger, who was already established and famous, through Galifianakis. She recalled, "I really appreciate Zach and Renée for [everything they've done]."

As reported by Glamour, she added, "I have a place to live now and my own bed. I now get my social security, so it helps me pay [for food] and my phone bill." Even though her life is better now, Haist hasn't forgotten where she came from. She said, "I still go to the laundromat every day. I do my own washings, of course. I go there to keep busy and teach people how to wash their clothes. People come into the laundromat and say, 'Oh, I know you! You're a star!' It shocks me." Reflecting on this, Rokah said, "I just hope that viewers [learn] that we need to stop judging people for who they are or how they seem to appear. We need to celebrate our differences. We're all in this together, and we need love."

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Haist lived a quiet life as a suburban housewife and mother of two until everything changed when she divorced her unfaithful husband. The split cost her the house, and at 50, she found herself living in her van. When the money ran out and the van was towed, she moved to Santa Monica, where she spent years on the streets. Her nights were spent curled up in a plastic lawn chair between the laundromat’s washers, and during the day, she folded clothes for tips. Even now, Haist's greatest joy comes from the chance to uplift others who are struggling.