Ukrainian actor says presidential candidacy is no joke Ukrainian comedy actor Volodymyr Zelensky, who is leading in opinion polls ahead of this month's presidential vote, tells AFP that he is running to help the people of his war-torn country. "This isn't in the movies, it's real life, but I really do want to help Ukraine... I want to help our people," says the 41-year-old, whose only previous political experience has been playing the country's president in a television show. IMAGES of Volodymyr Zelensky during a shoot and SOUNDBITES from Volodymyr Zelensky