Yup, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy Voiced Paddington Bear

Images StudioCanal, 154010406 © Yanosh Nemesh | Dreamstime.com

A great contrast to Chinese leadership’s lesser opinion of Winnie-the-Pooh, Ukraine’s would-be president couldn’t be happier to be associated with a fellow classic animated bear.

As the world gripped onto devastating updates of the situation in Ukraine, they quickly found a respite in the discovery that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took the helm of president in 2019, had voiced the Ukrainian version of Paddington Bear in the titular 2014 film.

The movie’s production firm StudioCanal later shared with the Hollywood Reporter that President Zelenskyy—the world leader protecting his country in the face of a dire historical event—also starred in the 2017 sequel, Paddington 2.

In a former life, Zelenskyy was a comedian best known for his role in Ukrainian television show Servant of the People, where he played a teacher who later became president. It was his portrayal in the series that inspired him to run for president.

Until today I had no idea who provided the voice of @paddingtonbear in Ukraine. Speaking for myself, thank you, President Zelenskiy. #PaddingtonBear https://t.co/5VaMi201Fs

— Hugh Bonneville 🇺🇦 (@hughbon) February 27, 2022

[via The Hollywood Reporter and NDTV, images via various sources]