Roman Burtsev, a 41-year-old Russian known for his striking resemblance to Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, has been recruited to serve in Ukraine. This development comes after Burtsev’s once-flourishing career as a DiCaprio lookalike took a downturn due to unexpected weight gain.
Burtsev had previously enjoyed a successful run of acting and advertising gigs, capitalizing on his uncanny likeness to the 49-year-old American actor. However, the pandemic proved to be a significant setback for the doppelgänger. Confined to his two-room council flat with his parents and cat, Burtsev found himself putting on extra pounds, making it increasingly difficult to maintain his convincing DiCaprio impersonation.
As his modeling opportunities dwindled, Burtsev struggled to regain his former glory. He took on odd jobs at a marketplace and hardware store to make ends meet, but financial difficulties persisted. In a twist of fate, the Russian government’s ongoing recruitment drive presented an unexpected opportunity.
By signing up for military service, Burtsev now qualifies for a substantial signing bonus of approximately $19,500, followed by a monthly salary of around $1,980 while serving on the frontline. In the event of his death, his family could be eligible for a significant sum of up to $120,700.
A recent photograph shows Burtsev, noticeably heavier than his Hollywood counterpart, already stationed on the frontline, clutching his military-issued weapon. This stark image stands in sharp contrast to his previous life as an IT specialist and aspiring celebrity impersonator.
Burtsev’s struggle with weight has been ongoing since 2016 when he first began emulating DiCaprio despite carrying an extra 100 pounds. He had initially hoped that his career as a lookalike would bring him fame, fortune, and even help him start a family. However, these dreams remained unfulfilled as he continued to reside with his parents in a rented state-provided apartment in Podolsk, near Moscow.
In 2021, the single Russian vowed to shed the extra weight, ambitiously claiming he would be “on top” by “New Year 2022.” However, two years later, it appears that Burtsev has yet to achieve his weight loss goals.
Reflecting on his career decline, Burtsev explained, “The problems began with the introduction of restrictions in April 2020, and now people have forgotten about me. I tried many methods for weight loss before finding my own and am now in the process of losing weight.”
As Burtsev embarks on this new and unexpected chapter of his life, his story serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly fortunes can change and the lengths some may go to secure financial stability in challenging times.
