New York City recently paid tribute to one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures in a unique way: a look-alike contest celebrating actor Pedro Pascal. On Father’s Day, fans gathered in the Lower East Side to find the individual who best captured the essence (and face) of the star known for hits like The Last of Us and The Mandalorian.
Meet NYC’s Closest Pedro Pascal Double
After facing off against nearly 30 other hopefuls, Brooklyn resident George Gountas, dubbed “Pedro #5,” was crowned the winner. Gountas, who works as a lighting designer for the acclaimed television program The Daily Show, stood out from the crowd, impressing judges with his striking resemblance to the Golden Globe-nominated actor.
According to his wife, Jenny Gania, the comparisons are nothing new. “It started when the Game of Thrones came out the first time — that’s when we first heard it,” Gania told the New York Post, adding that even kids began pointing it out. Seeing the contest as a perfect Father’s Day treat, she convinced Gountas to participate – a decision that paid off despite the rain that gathered outside the venue.
Prizes and the Inspiration Behind the Event
For his uncanny resemblance, Gountas took home $50 cash and a year’s supply of burritos from Son Del North Mexican restaurant, which hosted the event.
The inspiration for the quirky contest came from a comment Pedro Pascal reportedly made in 2023, suggesting there wasn’t good Mexican food in New York City. Son Del North chef and co-owner Annisha Garcia saw it as a playful challenge. “I’m, ‘So sorry, but there’s no Mexican, good Mexican food in New York?'” Garcia said, highlighting their restaurant’s presence as a counter-argument.
The Enduring Appeal of Pedro Pascal
While fans celebrated a look-alike, the real Pedro Pascal continues to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. Beyond his roles as the protective Joel in The Last of Us or the masked bounty hunter Din Djarin in The Mandalorian (a role he’s humorously noted comes with significant challenges like severely limited vision in the helmet), Pascal is stepping into new universes.
He is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in the upcoming film Fantastic Four: First Steps, a role he approaches by focusing on the character’s intellectual ‘brilliance of an octopus’ rather than just his stretchy powers. He also stars alongside Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans in Celine Song’s original film Materialists. The film is notable in a Hollywood landscape that Johnson has recently criticized for being risk-averse and overly reliant on existing franchises, suggesting a committee-driven process where decisions are made by those who “don’t even really watch movies.” Pascal’s choice to participate in original projects like Materialists alongside major IP work highlights his diverse interests as an actor.
Adding to his widespread appeal is Pascal’s warm public persona and his vocal support for various causes, including his well-known advocacy for transgender rights, a stance underscored by actions like wearing a ‘Protect the Dolls’ shirt and his close relationship with his transgender sister, Lux Pascal.
The NYC contest follows a trend of similar fan-driven events, including a Timothée Chalamet look-alike gathering held previously in the city, demonstrating the public’s fascination with celebrity and the fun of finding doubles.
Ultimately, George Gountas’s victory in the New York City Pedro Pascal look-alike contest wasn’t just about winning prizes; it was a lighthearted celebration of a beloved actor and the surprising resemblances found among us ordinary folk.
References
- deadline.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65335908/?ref=nwcart_perm”>www.imdb.com
- deadline.com
- deadline.com
- deadline.com
