George Gountas, a lighting designer for The Daily Show and a Brooklyn father of two, just went from behind-the-scenes to viral fame. Thanks to his uncanny resemblance to actor Pedro Pascal, Gountas has claimed victory in a Pedro Pascal Lookalike Contest, earning himself a year’s supply of burritos and $50 — plus instant internet celebrity.
The contest, held at Son Del North, a Mexican restaurant on New York’s Lower East Side, was inspired by Pascal’s recent comments on Hot Ones suggesting that New York lacks quality Mexican food. The restaurant responded in the most entertaining way possible — by organizing a public event that drew crowds in the hundreds.
“I look more like Pedro than I look like my own brother,” Gountas joked in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
From Stage Lighting to Spotlight
Gountas, 42, has worked as a lighting designer for The Daily Show since 2018. When his coworkers caught wind of the lookalike contest, they urged him to enter — and his wife and neighbors joined in to complete his look, from wardrobe to encouragement.
Despite arriving without prior registration, Gountas immediately stood out among the dozen or so contestants. His resemblance was so striking that even Pedro Pascal himself noticed, reacting to a viral Instagram post with a heart and teary-eyed emojis.
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An Unforgettable Scene
Gountas describes the event as “unbelievable,” with over a thousand people crowding the street outside the venue. The contest was meant to be a fun jab at Pascal’s food critique, but it ended up being a full-blown community event, complete with cheering fans, honking cars, and social media buzz.
He brought his wife and kids to the event, which turned into a local spectacle. “I just walked up and said, ‘Hey, I’m here,’” he recalls.
While some of the other contestants had strong features — “No. 18 had a great head of hair,” Gountas admits — the crowd and judges quickly rallied around George.
What’s Next? Maybe Pascal Himself
Although Pascal has not yet appeared on The Daily Show during Gountas’s tenure, this viral moment could be the perfect reason for a visit — and maybe even a real-life meeting between the two.
“Apparently he commented [on Instagram], so that was pretty funny,” says Gountas, who remains humble despite the attention.
Support from The Daily Show Family
Gountas says his colleagues at The Daily Show have been overwhelmingly supportive — even if he dreads the inevitable ribbing once he’s back on set.
“It’s kind of a very cool family environment there,” he adds.
As for the prize? Burritos for a year and fifty dollars, which Gountas jokes “is like going out for ice cream in Greenpoint.”
For a man who spent years being told he looked like a star, the moment of recognition has finally come — and it’s been both hilarious and heartwarming.
