Zelensky studied law, but his career changed trajectories when he became involved with theater and comedy during college.
He wrote and starred in several films produced by a production company he co-founded, Studio Kvartal 95.
He won Ukraine's version of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2006.
He starred in a popular TV show in Ukraine called "Servant of the People," in which he played the president.
In the show, Zelensky's character is an idealistic school teacher who goes on a viral tirade about government corruption and ends up becoming president.
In real life, he won the presidency a landslide victory with over 70% of the vote in April 2019.