Yes, he can: Sichuan’s answer to Barack Obama cashes in on his moment in the sun

A man from the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan who has made a living off his resemblance to US President Barack Obama since 2012 has a new job – as the face of a plastic surgery clinic in Guangzhou.

After working for a decade in coastal Guangdong province as waiter, factory worker and security guard, 28-year-old Xiao Jiguo landed an acting career after appearing as Obama on a mainland reality show in 2012. His physical resemblance to the 44th US president sealed his fate as a comedy actor, the Southern Metropolis News reported.

Earlier this month, Xiao just finished his part in a comedy movie in Guangzhou. He played a gangster who looked like Obama.

Since last month, the Guangzhou “Obama” has suddenly generated even more fans online, the report said, with a flood of media requests to visit the set.

Now, Xiao’s Obama portraits have appeared across Guangzhou thanks to a contract the actor signed with a local plastic surgery clinic.