He became a household name in Venezuela as a standup comedian who aims his wit -- rapid-fire, irreverent and loaded with vulgarities -- at everyone from his family to the Catholic Church.
So it's no wonder that few in Venezuela are taking him seriously now that he says he will run against incumbent Hugo Chavez in the next presidential election.
Benjamin Rausseo, better known as the "Count of Guacharo," announced his presidential bid in the capital of Caracas on Friday as he registered his new party, Piedra, which means "rock" in Spanish.
The jovial 45-year-old says he's not intimidated by polls that show Chavez heavily favored for re-election.
"I'm the candidate of all of Venezuela," Rausseo said in an interview as he compared himself to Chavez, with whom he shares humble roots and a husky build.
"He's ugly, I'm ugly ... I talk, he talks. But the difference is I live in Venezuela," he quipped, in a gibe at the frequent overseas travels of the Venezuelan leader, who has been on a three-continent tour for more than a week.
Rausseo is also a successful businessman with hotels and other enterprises.
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