There’s something truly remarkable about the bond that forms between a person and their doppelgänger. For George Gountas, a 42-year-old father of two from Brooklyn, this connection has taken an unexpected turn—earning him not only recognition but also the virtual admiration of none other than Pedro Pascal himself.
Gountas, who works as a lighting designer for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, recently emerged victorious in a Pedro Pascal lookalike contest hosted by Son Del North, a vibrant Mexican eatery nestled on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The competition, held to celebrate Father’s Day, crowned Gountas as the most "Pascaliest" among participants—a testament to his striking resemblance to the celebrated actor known for roles in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian.
In a screenshot shared via an Instagram reel posted by Mariana Muñoz, one of the contest judges (and co-founder of NYC social club The Girl Next Door), Gountas can be seen standing confidently at the far right. His uncanny likeness to Pascal is undeniable, capturing the essence of both charisma and charm that define the star.
As the winner, Gountas was rewarded with free burritos for an entire year from Son Del North, alongside a modest cash prize of $50. But perhaps the most cherished accolade came when Pascal himself chimed in, responding to a Pubity IG post with a string of emojis: “👨🏻👨🏻👨🏻👨🏻👨🏻🥹❤️.” These simple symbols carried profound meaning—an official nod of approval from the man whose visage Gountas so closely mirrors.
Gountas revealed to our sister site The Hollywood Reporter that comparisons to Pascal began long before the current wave of fame. It all started during Pascal's portrayal of Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper, in Game of Thrones. “My wife was absolutely devastated when he got killed,” Gountas recounted fondly. “She said, ‘I can’t watch this—it feels like they’re crushing your head.’” (Spoilers aside, it seems even fiction carries emotional weight.)
For Gountas, the resemblance goes beyond mere coincidence. “I look more like Pedro than I do my own brother,” he admitted with a laugh, underscoring just how deeply embedded this parallel identity has become in his life.
Despite the acclaim, there’s still a touch of trepidation as Gountas anticipates reactions from his colleagues at The Daily Show. While host Jon Stewart hasn’t yet weighed in on his newfound fame, Gountas confessed, “I’m a little nervous about going back to work and having everyone make fun of me.” Yet, he acknowledges the supportive atmosphere of the show, noting, “It’s really a cool family environment there.”
This story isn’t merely about winning a contest or gaining fleeting internet fame; it’s about embracing individuality, finding joy in shared experiences, and celebrating the quirks that make us uniquely human. Whether through burritos or emojis, George Gountas has proven that sometimes, looking like someone extraordinary can lead to moments of pure delight.
