Zach Galifianakis has become a household name and one of the most beloved comedians in Hollywood. However, he had much humbler beginnings and lived a much different life to the one he currently does. Still, one woman has been a constant in his world.

Galifianakis moved to LA when he was beginning his career in comedy. He had plans to be a star, but as with all other stars, he had to start small and work his way up to his big break. The comedian did this by working odd jobs and doing stand-up gigs.

The gigs he frequented were in the back of burger joints where he could show off his talent before landing any significant roles, such as that of Alan, his character in the “The Hangover” franchise. While meeting Hollywood directors was important, Galifianakis made other important friends along the way.

While his gigs changed his life for the better, the woman that kept him company during those years was someone he met in the most unlikely place. It turned out that the pair would become a formidable team in years to come.

Meeting Mimi
It was 1994 when Galifianakis met a woman that would significantly impact his life in the years to come. When she met Galifianakis, Marie “Mimi” Haist was volunteering in a laundromat, surviving off tips left by customers.

The “The Hangover” star frequented Fox Laundry — where Haist was volunteering — because he lived right around the corner from the laundromat. While their first meeting was over 20 years ago, the pair maintained a strong bond.

Although Haist had been married earlier in her life, when she met Galifianakis, she had been alone for quite some time. After she got divorced, she lived on the streets and began looking for a place to work or sleep. She found both of those things in one place.