It’s just one part of a remarkable career Zelensky had before entering politics
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, attention continues to be on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with many discovering the varied entertainment career he had before becoming the country’s leader.
Including that he voiced Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian versions of the films.
Zelensky has been thrust into the global spotlight as he leads his country’s resistance against Russian forces, posting defiant videos from the streets of Kyiv and standing alongside his people on the front line.
Zelensky drinking coffee and chatting with his fellow Kyiv defenders this morning.
Imagine what a moral boost it must be for these troops to have the freakin’ president literally fighting next to you.
What a badass. https://t.co/PQPTkoC5bX
— Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@NickKnudsenUS) February 26, 2022
And more and more people are delving into the career he had before politics, which couldn’t be much further from the world of politics.
Zelensky was a comedian and actor and, along with appearing in the Ukrainian version of Strictly Come Dancing and playing the role of the president in a comedy series, he also provided the voice for the iconic Paddington Bear.
Among those to realise this was none other than the star of the films himself, Hugh Bonneville.
Bonneville, who plays Henry Brown in the classic, tweeted: “Until today I had no idea who provided the voice of @paddingtonbear in Ukraine.
“Speaking for myself, thank you, President Zelenskiy. #PaddingtonBear. “
https://twitter.com/hughbon/status/1498044445551439879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1498044445551439879%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2F2022%2F02%2F28%2Fukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-voiced-paddington-bear-16187332%2F
And here is Zelensky as the voice of Paddington 🐻 pic.twitter.com/vif4L8hGGz
— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) February 27, 2022
Others have also voiced their shock at this realisation.
Sam Freedman wrote: “With Strictly and voicing Paddington on his CV the only way Zelensky could appeal to middle Britain more would be if it turned out he played Superintendent Hastings in the Ukrainian version of Line of Duty.”
With Strictly and voicing Paddington on his CV the only way Zelensky could appeal to middle Britain more would be if it turned out he played Superintendent Hastings in the Ukrainian version of Line of Duty.
— Sam Freedman (@Samfr) February 27, 2022
Another user said: “I didn’t think it was possible for President Zelensky to be any cooler, but I just found out that he’s the Ukrainian voice of Paddington Bear.”
I didn't think it was possible for President Zelensky to be any cooler, but I just found out that he's the Ukrainian voice of Paddington Bear.
HOLY SHIT. 🤯🐻
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) February 28, 2022
A third said that they were “fully shook” after learning that Zelensky is the voice of Paddington.
https://twitter.com/ryanbloomquist/status/1498032443324047367
Russian forces continue to launch their attack on Ukraine, but on Monday morning Kyiv’s defence commander said that attacks on the capital had been successfully repelled overnight.
Ukraine’s military also said that Russian troops are continuing their attacks on airports, defence systems, critical infrastructure, and residential areas throughout the country.
Related links:
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- Ukraine border guards who told Russian warship ‘go f*** yourself’ might be alive
- ‘This might be the last time you see me alive,’ Ukrainian president told EU leaders
