In a delightful twist of celebrity mimicry, a Brooklyn-based lighting designer and father of two has earned more than just admiration for his striking resemblance to Pedro Pascal. George Gountas, a longtime staffer at The Daily Show, took home top honors—and a year of free burritos—at a spirited lookalike contest celebrating the beloved star of The Last of Us and The Mandalorian.
From backstage lighting to center stage
George Gountas is no stranger to television, but his recent moment in the spotlight wasn’t behind the scenes. On Sunday, he stepped out from behind the rigging and into the glow of Brooklyn’s Son del North restaurant, where he emerged victorious in a Pedro Pascal lookalike contest.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gountas has worked as a lighting designer for The Daily Show since 2017 and is a two-time Emmy nominee. But for one day, he was better known as “Pedro Pascal’s twin.” His uncanny resemblance to the Chilean-born actor turned heads, earning him not only a $50 prize but also a year’s supply of burritos from the hosting restaurant.
The contest was no low-key affair. Gountas’s victory was celebrated in a video shared by Son del North on Instagram, with attendees enthusiastically applauding their pick. He credits his coworkers, wife, and even his stylist neighbor for encouraging him to join in. “One of the stage managers, Tyler, found the advertisement for the contest and was like, ‘Yo, George, go win some free burritos,’” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Family affair and community celebration
Gountas didn’t go it alone. Backed by his wife and two kids, he arrived at the event with full familial support—and a carefully curated outfit, courtesy of his neighbor, a professional stylist. “I’ve got shoes for you, I’ve got pants for you,” she reportedly told him, turning the occasion into a genuine neighborhood effort.
The atmosphere at Son del North, a cozy Brooklyn eatery known for its vibrant community events, was electric. Gountas described the turnout as “unbelievable,” marveling at the number of participants and onlookers. “It’s been pretty insane,” he said of the experience, which was equal parts surreal and heartwarming. His co-workers at The Daily Show were just as enthusiastic about his win, offering congratulations and sharing the moment online.
While the burritos were certainly a bonus, the experience highlighted the fun and unexpected ways in which ordinary people can find moments of joy and connection—especially when the spark is as simple as a familiar face.
The growing world of celebrity look alike contests
What may have once been seen as a quirky sideshow has become a full-blown cultural trend: celebrity look alike contests are thriving, and social media is amplifying the phenomenon. The Pedro Pascal contest follows in the wake of similar events celebrating doppelgängers of Timothée Chalamet, Jeremy Allen White, and Paul Mescal. These gatherings have drawn significant attention online, turning casual fans into minor celebrities overnight. After winning a Chalamet lookalike contest, one participant even landed a spot in a Saturday Night Live promo. Others have scored brand deals or become online influencers in their own right.
The popularity of these contests reflects the internet’s fascination with parasocial relationships and celebrity culture. At the same time, they tap into a lighter, more playful side of fandom—where resemblance, not résumé, takes center stage.
The Pascal effect: Internet’s “daddy” remains silent—for now
Pedro Pascal, whose magnetic performances in The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and Narcos have earned him legions of devoted fans, remains a beloved and highly meme-able figure online. Often dubbed “the internet’s daddy,” Pascal has cultivated a carefully balanced public persona—cool, self-aware, and quietly charismatic.
Despite his active social media presence, Pascal had not commented on the Brooklyn contest as of Monday afternoon. Maybe, as some fans joked online, “daddy took Father’s Day off.” But if he does catch wind of Gountas’s win, one suspects he might offer a wink or a repost. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—and in this case, also a ticket to free burritos and local fame.
A doppelgänger’s day to remember
For George Gountas, the contest was more than just a fun community event—it was a rare and joyful moment in which personal resemblance, communal support, and a shared love for pop culture collided.
Whether he returns to the lighting booth at The Daily Show or decides to embrace his Pascal doppelgänger status in future appearances, one thing is certain: in Brooklyn last weekend, for one shining moment, there really were two Pedro Pascals—and nobody was complaining.
