Keanu Reeves Covers Teddy Bear Convention

Few people have done more for the state of Hawaii than Keanu Reeves. Even though he was born in Beirut and grew up in Toronto, Mr. Reeves’s forename forever ties him to the tiny string of islands, proving to America and the world that Hawaii is much more than a place to off-load your excess pork products and park your battleships. No, they also turn out respected thespians.

The evidence of this greatness can be seen in this clip of Keanu covering the first Canadian International Teddy Bear Convention for Going Great. Here we can see the beginnings of what would be a long and storied career. His ability to improvise with sunglasses, teddy bears, and young teddy bear enthusiast Graham Abbey — who absolutely, positively does not actually play with teddy bears but merely collects them and is every bit the man that you are, thank you very much — is a stunning example of the craft.

Indeed, even though Reeves expected for all manner of insanity; an orgy of stuffing and button eyes, he kept his cool throughout, even while walking the convention floor with superstar collector Graham Abbey — who, it should be pointed out, merely has an affinity for teddy bears and keeps them on display, never for one minute entertaining even the slightest urge to “play” with the ursine objects of his affection let alone stroke or fondle them in a manner that might be construed as inappropriate — Reeves stays a poised professional. Truly, one is witnessing the work of a future master.

Graham Abbey is happily married with five children and continues to resolutely deny allegations of cavorting with stuff bears.*

*This may or may not be true.

RetroBites: Keanu Reeves [YouTube]