A Brooklyn lighting technician just walked away with free burritos and the internet’s attention after winning a Pedro Pascal look-alike contest — and now he wants to meet the real deal.
George Gountas, 42, stunned judges and the crowd at a packed New York City contest organized by Son Del North, a Mexican eatery, when he showed up as Pedro No. 5.
His win earned him a modest $50 cash prize and a full year of burritos. But more than that, it unlocked a wave of online fame, capped by an unexpected appearance on The Daily Show.
Contest born from celebrity food fight
The contest came to life after actor Pedro Pascal, now 50, once said that New York has no good Mexican food. That claim angered local chefs, including Annisha Garcia, who co-owns Son Del North in Manhattan.
She turned the insult into opportunity by launching a tongue-in-cheek look-alike competition — and that’s when Gountas entered the picture.
A friend urged him to try. When he showed his wife, Jenny, she immediately backed the idea. Gountas said the black-rimmed glasses sealed the deal for his Pascal impression.
From zaddy costume to real-life fame
Following his win, Gountas found himself on national television. Jon Stewart, his boss on The Daily Show, invited him for a segment and joked that women — and even some men — were reacting with what he called animalistic energy to Gountas’ uncanny resemblance to the Mandalorian star.
With his star rising, Gountas decided to send a message directly to Pedro Pascal.
He called himself “Pedro #5” and said it would mean the world if Pascal would agree to meet his wife. Gountas said the real Pedro has to make it happen.
Insiders who spoke to The National Enquirer said Gountas has already received offers for meet-and-greet events, photo ops, and even potential commercials.
But Gountas insists this isn’t about fame. He said he just wants his wife to meet the man whose face people now confuse with his on the subway.
Look-alike calls out Hollywood A-lister
Gountas claimed that people stop him on the street daily and ask if he’s Pascal. Some fans reportedly asked for selfies, while others assumed he was filming something nearby.
While Pascal has not publicly responded to Gountas’ viral appeal, fans online are now tagging him nonstop.
Gountas joked that Pascal has no excuse to ignore him now — and added that Pedro #5 is ready whenever Pedro #1 is.
But if the actor stays silent, Gountas warned, Jenny might just show up at Comic-Con on her own.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.