BearoticEntertainment for Bears and the furry at heart.

Bear-Quiz: Guess Who This Bear Icon Is From His Pre-Beard Days

He’s handsome in his cop uniform with a nice strong jaw and piercing eyes. Later in his career he becomes well-known for his full beard and boisterous demeanor.

Can you guess who this actor, author and adventurer is from this younger, clean shaven photo? Hint: Later in life his career really flies doing more comedic roles.

Did you guess right? Yes, it’s hunky Brian Blessed! Brian came to most people’s attention in America when he played Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon. All that Shakespearean style gesturing, bellowing and flashing of big white teeth made him the perfect mythical bear.

Sci-fi know-it-alls (like NetBear) remember Brian Blessed as the shape-shifting Psychon Mentor in the British Space: 1999 series. Here he is along side Maya, played by Catherine Schell, in publicity photos for the show.

Brian also has a thriving career as a best-selling author. He has written five books including Blessed Everest, an inspiring abbreviated history of Everest.

The book Quest for the Lost World documents the fulfillment of Brian Blessed’s childhood dream, a dream of reaching and exploring the plateau of Mount Roraima in the heart of Venezuela. Myth and legend highlight Brian’s epic journey as he discovers Arthur Conan Doyle’s Lost World. Beautifully illustrated, the book transports the reader into a mysterious primeval landscape.

If that isn’t adventuring, I don’t know what is. Brian also holds the record for being the oldest man to trek on foot to the magnetic North Pole.

How does Blessed get material for his books? By adventuring, my dear bear. He climbed Mont Blanc at the age of seventeen and has remained an active mountaineer throughout his life. In a 1993 climb of Mount Everest, the then 56-year-old climbed higher than any other man of his age. We told you Mr. Blessed was larger than life.

Brian has gone on to play many similar swashbuckling, larger than life characters, mostly because he *IS* larger than life! In this next video Brian plays King Richard IV in Black Adder. If you watch closely you’ll see some bear bum in tights.

Brian is such an incredible character in life and on stage. In Saviour Of The Universe he assumes super-hero-like proportions helping three naked Welsh men.

Brian now has his own topical news show on UK TV where he can fully realize his bombastic bearness while yelling at politicians and the like. A perfect vehicle for him!

I’ve been goosed! Don’t touch my ass!

Brian was once described in a magazine as “the loudest man alive.” Maybe so. But Brian Blessed has a personality and charisma that will mesmerize you in whatever part he plays. At Bearotic we like ‘em loud and bombastic… Well, as long as they’re Brian Blessed. Now, if only we could find some pictures of him without so many clothes on… Anyone?

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