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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsZach Galifianakis’ Date to Hangover 3 Premiere: Woman He Saved from Homelessness
This is a really nice story.
When Zach Galifianakis hit the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of The Hangover 3 Monday night, he brought along a formerly homeless woman named Elizabeth Mimi Haist. And shes no newcomer to the red carpet, either. She has been Galifianakis date to The Campaign and The Hangover 2 premieres as well, but no one knew who was the tiny woman on the actors arm. All the fans were taking photos and I waved at them, I said, They dont know who I am! Haist told the Daily News of her prior premiere experiences. So who is she?
Galifianakis and Haist have been friends for almost 20 years, according to the Daily News. Galifianakis met Haist at the Fox Laundry when he was just starting out in Hollywood back in 1994. He befriended Haist at his local laundromat where she volunteered, surviving on the tips patrons gave her. Eventually Galifianakis stopped going to the laundromat, but two years ago, when Galifianakis found out that Haist had become homeless, he tracked her down and set her up in a one-bedroom apartment where he pays the rent and utilities. He also recruited his friend, actress Renee Zellweger, to the cause, and Zellweger outfitted the womans apartment with furniture and makes sure Haists fridge is always stocked with food.
Since then Haist has been escorting Galifianakis to red carpet events and enjoying herself. I dress up nice and a friend helps me with my makeup. Its fun, not something Ive ever dreamed Id experience. The limo takes me home afterwards, Haist told the Daily News.
Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/21/zach-galifianakis-date-to-hangover-3-premiere-woman-he-saved-from-homelessness/#ixzz2TwC8CtSH
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,406 posts)Cirque du So-What
(26,061 posts)but this story definitely elevates him in my eyes.
Worried senior
(1,328 posts)but in my book he is truly a good man.
hearted person.
Rex
(65,616 posts)nt.
unc70
(6,138 posts)Knew the Galifinakis family back in the 1960's in Chapel Hill. Knew Zach's uncles better than his father because they stayed in the area longer. His uncle Nick was the Congressman representing Durham and Chapel Hill. A progressive Democrat.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)He originally met the guy when he was filming on location and there was a contest on a radio station offering a reward for anyone who could bring Colin to the studio, so Colin saw a homeless guy and took him to the studio to claim the reward.
Then, as I recall from what I read at the time, the homeless guy showed up where Colin was doing whatever, and I think Colin remembered him and told him to get in the limo with him, then took him shopping and set him up with an apartment for a year.
<snip>
Mott told CTV Newsnet that "they seemed like they were really good friends and they were best buddies, like they've known each other for years."
Mott says Farrell made it absolutely clear: "Get him what he wants, get him the best."
But that's not all. Farrell also tried to help "Stress" get off the street. Following the shopping spree, the two friends walked to a bank machine where Farrell withdrew $830. Farrell then handed "Stress" the money so he could rent a room to get off the street. It would help the man cover first and last month's rent.
Farrell met "Stress" four years ago when he was in Toronto shooting a movie. Back then, he helped "Stress" win a $2,000 prize. A Toronto-area radio station had offered the prize to anyone who brought the actor to their studio. Farrell heard about the contest and found "Stress" on the street and took him to the station to claim the prize.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/colin-farrell-helps-toronto-homeless-man-1.256340
Update showing they still keep in touch, shows text from Colin saying he'll call him soon:
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