Heart of gold! Zach Galifianakis saves 87-year-old woman from homelessness and then asks her to be his date for The Hangover: Part III premiere

PUBLISHED: 23:31 EST, 21 May 2013 | UPDATED: 02:17 EST, 22 May 2013

Zach Galifianakis saved an 87-year-old woman from homelessness and then invited her to be his date to The Hangover: Part III première in Los Angeles on Monday night.

The actor met Elizabeth ‘Mimi’ Haist 18 years ago when she used to work at his local laundromat in Santa Monica, California.

But when he heard that the woman was living on the street he promptly bought her an apartment.

A turn for the better: Elizabeth Mimi Haist was homeless before Zach Galifianakis bought her an apartment

Heart of gold: Zach, pictured at The Hangover 3 Premiere on Monday night, has known Mimi for over 18 years

The 43-year-old, according to Star magazine, met Mimi in 1994 at the Fox Coin Laundry, in Santa Monica.

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But the actor lost touch with her over the years only to learn that since he last saw her things had turned dire.

The Campaign star quickly set up his old friend in a one-bedroom, one bathroom apartment, nearly two years ago.

Partner in crime: Zach was aided by fellow movie star Renee Zellweger in helping the 87-year-old furnish her new apartment

But the Between Two Ferns host was not alone in his commendable efforts.

Zach employed fellow movie star Renee Zellweger to help Mimi with decorating the apartment.

A source told Star: '[Renee] furnished the apartment and makes sure that Mimi always has food in her fridge.’

Not the first time: Zach pictured with Mimi at The Hangover Part 2 premiere in 2011

According to a documentary titled Queen Mimi - currently in production about the unlikely friendship between the movie star and the former vagrant - she first became homeless at the age of 55 after leaving an adulterous husband.

The courageous departure led to a financially unstable existence, which ultimately resulted in her working and sleeping in the laundromat for nearly 18 years.

She scraped by on tips for folding the laundry of customers patronising the Santa Monica shop.

Without Zach she would still be pulling pennies together for a hot meal, as she is, according to her own testimony, the only surviving member of her family.

But Monday night’s première was not her first invitation to attend a red carpet.

Zach has taken Mimi to two previous industry events, including the première for The Hangover II and The Campaign.

Knight on a white horse: Zach and Mimi in a promotional drawing for upcoming documentary Queen Mimi about the unlikely friendship

While there was no confirmation that the 87-year-old was in attendance on Monday, Zach made sure to speak to his feelings regarding the hollowness of celebrity.

In the wake of the storm in Oklahoma that day he told USA Today : ‘Just like with any disasters, you feel silly doing a red carpet thing.’

Adding: ‘All of this is very bizarre to me and silly. The worship of celebrity culture is bad for our culture, to be honest. ... But as far as Oklahoma, obviously, you just hope and pray that things will turn up.’

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I've seen some very old people who live right on the sidewalks in Toronto. I just don't know how they manage the bitter cold months here when it's 20 to 30 below at night. It is heartbreaking. All the years I lived in Toronto, I would give away my lunch to a person who lived on the sidewalk and I was certainly not a rich person by any means. If people tried, they could make a difference.

- Amy , Toronto, 22/5/2013 17:13

Click to rate Rating 6

A true gentle and and lady.

- Gracie , Manchester, Qatar, 22/5/2013 17:04

Click to rate Rating 15

Lovely story. I would rather read about this than Kim K's fat feet. As for those people who think it is a publicity stunt please note he took her to movie openings years ago and bought the apartment years ago. Very late for a publicity stunt isn't it?

- Ktkat1949 , Victoria BC Canada, 22/5/2013 17:03

Click to rate Rating 29

This has warmed my heart today. I love it there is still this human spirit out there - its what makes the world go round. To be kind is king

- bmthbh1 , bournemouth, 22/5/2013 16:57

Click to rate Rating 26

Aw, brought tears to my eyes, you know he was brought up well and has good morals, what a good man!

- DragonFly , Vancouver B.C., 22/5/2013 16:51

Click to rate Rating 27

sweet sweet man

- JEFF , NYC, 22/5/2013 16:43

Click to rate Rating 40

What a wonderful heart lifting read. I wish the papers where full of stories like this!

- Jo , Sunny Scunny, United Kingdom, 22/5/2013 16:40

Click to rate Rating 40

He seems like a real down to earth bloke who us not affected by his fame. Hope he stays that way. He was hilarious in "The Campaign" with Will Farrell.

- Pam R. , Atlanta, United States, 22/5/2013 16:40

Click to rate Rating 22

Not only did I love Zach before but I love him even more now and I fully respect him, if only there were more people like him in the world, not just on the industry but in general also

- Laura , Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom, 22/5/2013 16:39

Click to rate Rating 38

Can´t wait to see "Hangover3"!

- Pedro , Mexico, Mexico, 22/5/2013 16:38

Click to rate Rating 13

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