Main points
- Serhiy Kalantay told how Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as an actor and organizer, was able to quickly resolve organizational issues on set.
- Olena Shoptenko described Zelensky as a simple, open person with a responsible approach to rehearsals, and Dmytro Oskin noted his leadership qualities.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Serhiy Kalantay / Collage of Channel 24
Before becoming president, Volodymyr Zelensky was engaged in creative activities: he was an actor, produced films and television series, and also headed the “Studio Kvartal-95”. Therefore, many Ukrainian actors and representatives of show business were personally acquainted with the future president of Ukraine.
Among them is Serhiy Kalantay, who starred with Zelensky in the TV series “Servant of the People.” In an interview with Alina Dorotyuk, he told what Volodymyr Oleksandrovych was like off-camera.
I knew Vladimir Alexandrovich as an actor, as a colleague, as a producer and a colossal organizer,
– said Sergey Kalantay.
He noted that he was not friends with the future president, but they crossed paths on set and at various events, which gave them the opportunity to communicate.
I was delighted. He could organize the situation two minutes before an important scene. A person could organize it on two or three phones,
– the actor recalled.
Interview with Sergey Kalantay: watch the video online
Earlier, in an interview for OBOZ.UA, Serhiy Kalantay also said that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a good actor. “When we were preparing for the final scene, he held the text in his hands for a very short time, and then, without hesitation or prompting, he gave it to the camera – and these are three large sheets of paper,” the actor shared.
For context! Serhiy Kalantay played the role of Otto Adelweinsteiner, the head of the IMF of German origin, in the second season of the series “Servant of the People.” At the same time, the main role in the series was played by Volodymyr Zelensky, who played a history teacher who later becomes the President of Ukraine.
What did other stars say about Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
Olena Shoptenko, who was Volodymyr Zelensky's partner on the show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2006, remembered him as a simple, open, and sincere person. According to her, he was very responsible in his rehearsals and always strived for the highest quality result.
Actor Dmytro Oskin, who also starred in the series “Servant of the People,” said that even on the set it was noticeable that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has excellent leadership qualities.