Santa Monica woman known as 'Mimi' gets documentary on her time living at laundromat

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Santa Monica resident Marie Haist, known as "Mimi," called a laundromat home for 20 years, and now a documentary is being released about her life.

One rainy night, the owner of Fox Laundry let Marie Haist sleep there and she never left. She started helping out some of the customers and eventually befriended Zach Galifianakis. He even took Mimi to the premiere of the "Hangover Part III."

Actor and now director Yaniv Rokah met Mimi about 10 years ago. He said the more he got to know her, the more he wanted to tell her story.

"To me, Mimi represents so many things: hope, human spirit, strength, survival," he said.

In his documentary "Queen Mimi," Mimi's life story unfolds and in telling it, Rokah said he learned something invaluable.

"The meaning of home and I think it's so interesting that a homeless person gives you that lesson," he said.

But Mimi is no longer homeless. She said Galifianakis gave her an apartment and Renee Zellweger furnished it. She said at 90 she is now living the best years of her life.

"I am eternally grateful. Believe me," she said.

"Queen Mimi" begins her reign at the box office May 13.