With the success of this summer's The Hangover, Zach Galifianakis bridged the gap from strange character actor/comedian to box office superstar. While the actor could have hypothetically supplemented his Bored to Death income and Between Two Ferns -- street cred -- with multi-million dollar deals to advertise someone's Vegas casino or baby carrier, the comic was believed to have avoided the sell-out sponsorship route. Until Movieline unearthed five chain fast food references in his stand up, TV specials and interviews that may suggest otherwise.
Behold, five references to the same roast beef-peddling fast food joint. Innocent name dropping or purposefully placed endorsements? You decide.
1. In GQ, Galifianakis describes how he was cast in Into the Wild:
"Sean called my cell phone, and he's like, 'Hey, it's Sean Penn.' And I'm like, 'Uh-huh.' I thought it was a prank. He said, 'What are you doing next weekend?' I said, 'I'm going to Arby's.' That's what I said! He said, 'Have you ever read the book Into the Wild? I'm doing a thing. Would you want to be in it?'"
2. On how his life has changed since the success of The Hangover, this summer at the Bored To Death Television Critics Association panel:
"I can get a really good table at Arby's now."
3. In a 2007 interview with Gothamist, the comedian talked about his imminent plans:
"I have plans on going to Arby's on March 12th. And I may join my parents on a cruise to Alaska in May."
4. During his Purple Onion Live special, he delivered this non sequitur while at the piano:
"I was at Arby's the other day and I thought, 'Oh sh*t, I should take someone's order."
5. During a 2006 comedy show, Galifianakis ribbed audience member and Survivor contestant Jonny Fairplay:
ZG: "Do you make public appearances and stuff? Is this one of them? Because this sucks."
JF: "I might get $7500 tonight."
ZG: "Oh is that how much you usually get? Oooh, $7500 just to, what do you do, like ribbon cuttings at Arby's? They've got a lot of money and they've got a new f*cking roast beef sandwich that you should promote."
Whatever the impetus for his Arby's references, the fact remains: Arby's curly fries are amazing.