Saskatoon

Zach Galifianakis gives last-minute endorsement before Saskatoon mayoral candidate wins election

Charlie Clark received a last-minute endorsement from comedian Zach Galifianakis hours before he went on to win the race for mayor of Saskatoon.

U.S. comedian calls Charlie Clark a 'splendid man' and says he would make 'a fabulous mayor'

Zach Galifianakis gives last-minute endorsement before Saskatoon mayoral candidate wins election

8 years ago
Duration 0:56
Zach Galifianakis gives last-minute endorsement before Saskatoon mayoral candidate wins election

Civic elections in Saskatoon don't normally receive international celebrity endorsements. 

However, yesterday, a video endorsement by comedian Zach Galifianakis was released by then-mayoral candidate Charlie Clark just hours before he was elected by voters. 

"I know Charlie, and he's a splendid man," said Galifianakis in the video. "I know that he would be a great leader and a fabulous mayor for Saskatoon."

Galifianakis, an actor and stand-up comedian, is best known for his breakout role on The Hangover. 

The moment Charlie Clark learns voters have elected him as Saskatoon's new mayor. (Don Somers/CBC)

The surprise endorsement, released on election day, made waves across the city.

As it turns out, Galifianakis is married to Clark's stepmother's niece.

"I've got to know him over the years," said Clark. "He's a wonderful guy and a salt of the earth character."

The endorsement certainly didn't hurt Clark's campaign. He beat four-term incumbent mayor Don Atchison, winning 40 per cent of the vote.

"I was really honoured," he said. "It's no small thing for him to put that out there."

So far, there's no word as to whether Clark will appear on Galifianakis' web show Between Two Ferns.

Obama with actor-comedian Zach Galifianakis during an appearance on "Between Two Ferns. (Funny or Die/Associated Press)