Volodymyr Zelenskyy has had quite the career in the entertainment industry, having worked as a comedian, starred in reality TV shows and even a major Hollywood film.
The 44 year old former star turned politician was voted in as the new president of Ukraine in 2019, in an election that saw him win over 70 per cent of the national vote.
At first, some were incredibly sceptical of the star’s ability to lead the Ukrainian people, but that has been firmly put to rest with his incredible response to Russia’s invasion of the country in recent days.
He has gained immense praise and respect for how he’s handled the crisis, becoming a symbol of strength and a figure of hope for all his people.
But what lead to the father-of-two’s new status and what were his biggest appearances on screen? OK! takes a look inside the leader’s showbiz life pre-politics.
(Image: GETTY)
(Image: GETTY)
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The politician began his colourful career with a focus on an academic career, as he graduated university with a law degree.
During his studies, Zelenskyy became more interested in the theatre and started taking part in various productions.
After graduating, the political figure pursued his love of acting instead and in 2005, he finally bagged the lead role in a musical comedy TV film called D’Artagnan.
The story, which Zelenskyy also wrote, was an exploration of the classic tale about The Three Musketeers.
His character embarked on a trip to Paris to join de Treville’s regiment, but when he arrived he was faced with the reality that all the “musketeers” were women.
(Image: DANCING WITH THE STARS)
A year later, Zelenskyy triumphed in Ukraine’s first series of Dancing with the Stars at the age of 28.
Having become a television celebrity already, the star lit up the dance floor with his professional partner Olena Shoptenko.
The pair left viewers in tears with their emotional waltz and performed a fiery paso doble, all to the tune of fabulous scores from the judges.
The contestant also created a show first when he shimmied and moved across the dance floor with a blindfold shielding his eyes.
The powerful number was one for the history books, and all in all Zelenskyy was a worthy winner for the show’s first instalment.
The former comedian turned his focus to becoming the leading man in romcoms, as he went on to co-write and star in a sweet film called No Love in the City.
The hugely-popular project about three Russian men in New York City spawned two sequels and a TV show.
The story focused on a disguised Saint Valentine “cursing” the men with “impotence” until they learned about the real meaning of true love.
(Image: YOUTUBE)
Zelenskyy then moved on to writing and starring in traditional romcom, Office Romance. Present Day. The film saw the now-president taking on the role of a financial analyst, who was also a single father of two daughters.
The character then met a young CEO and the pair embarked on a hilarious office romance, and Zelenskyy went on to star in a similar picture called 8 First Dates, which also sparked two sequels.
The successful actor also starred as the lead in Corporal vs Napoleon, which was a story about the Russian military attempting to beat Napoleon by sending a woman to seduce him.
(Image: STUDIO CANAL)
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The family man also went on to voice the main character of Paddington bear in the Ukrainian version of the film.
But perhaps his most notable role was when he ironically starred in a TV show called Servant of the People, which was about a history teacher who accidentally became the country’s leader.
The plot saw the unexpected career shift take place after the teacher accidentally shared a video of himself slating the nation’s current politicians online.
Always remembered for taking on this role before he was elected as president in real life, Zelenskyy has more than proven his mettle in politics since.
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