2022 was a tumultuous year with war, COVID-19 restrictions still in effect for many places in the world, wider availability of vaccines, worldwide inflation surges and government protests. The primary focus of the year was Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion into Ukraine, seen with condemnation of Russia around the world that led to sanctions against the country.
However, the Russian invasion also brought out the best in humanity worldwide with many countries offering support to Ukraine with military aid, food, medicine and supplies to the Ukrainian army and refugees.
We also lost some beloved movie stars. On a lighter note, more celebrities came out as gay, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner auctioned off his medal and used the proceeds to benefit refugees of the war. This Furry Friday focuses on the year 2022 and features bearded men who have influenced the world in 2022 or been part of a major event in 2022.
Vote for your favorites!
~ Noah and Ben
A:
Volodymyr Zelensky – President of Ukraine whose leadership against the Russian invasion in 2022 lead to worldwide support of Ukraine and he has become known as Ukraine’s greatest president.
B:
Mike Cannon-Brookes – Australian businessman and co-founder and co-CEO of software company Atlassian. In 2022, he was working on buying Australian power supplier, AGL, and work towards his goal of clean energy by taking advantage of Australia’s abundant sunshine for solar power.
C:
Dmitry Muratov – Russian journalist, and founder and editor-in-chief of the Russian independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, which has exposed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s corrupt government and abuse to human rights. He had previously won a Nobel Peace Prize, but in 2022, he auctioned off the medal and used the proceeds to benefit refugees of the war in Ukraine.
D:
William Hurt – American actor known for his roles in Altered States, Children of a Lesser God, The Big Chill and as Thaddeus Ross in the movies of the MCU. He passed away in 2022.
E:
Lionel Messi – Argentine footballer and captain of Argentina National Football Team which won the World Cup of 2022.
F:
Diego Luna – Mexican actor who starred in the highly-rated 2022 Star Wars series, Andor, who has received praise for his performance as Cassian Andor.
G:
TJ House – American former baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians and then Toronto Blue Jays. In 2022, he came out as gay, announcing engagement to his boyfriend.
H:
Ales Bialiatski – Belarusian activist and prisoner of conscience. In recognition of his fight for freedom and democracy, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.
I:
Sidney Poitier – American actor who was the first Black actor to be nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role in The Defiant Ones. He also received acclaim for his portrayals as strong Black lead characters in A Raisin in the Sun, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night. He passed away in 2022.
J:
Max Parrot – Canadian snowboarder who won the Gold Medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
B G Thomas - writer 