“So uncanny!” - Fans react to the close similarity between Pedro Pascal and George Gountas, the winner of the actor’s look-alike contest

Pedro Pascal fans were left stunned this week when George Gountas, a New York City-based father, was announced as the winner of a look-alike contest organized by the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Manhattan. The event was held to celebrate Pascal’s role in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and drew dozens of contestants hoping to win over the crowd with their resemblance to the beloved actor.

Gountas reportedly attended the event only after being encouraged by his daughter and friends. As he later told the New York Post, he had no idea the contest would draw this much attention. Despite his hesitation, the audience and social media users agreed that he bore a striking resemblance to Pascal, which helped him take home the top prize.

While some fans were skeptical at first, many changed their minds after seeing videos and images from the event. The side-by-side comparisons went viral on social media, with many users expressing disbelief at how closely Gountas resembled the actor. As the clips circulated online, fan comments started pouring in, sparking a collective wave of reactions across platforms like X.

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"this has to be the first of these contest where the winner actually looks like the original, i had to look twice to be sure that wasn't pedro." – @blakeeviolet "Me about to watch this video: ugh the people in these lookalike contests NEVER end up looking like....oh fvck, nevermind, I think they cloned Pedro!" – @AvaFrigg "Off all the look alike contest, this one was literally the most accurate one lol" – @Ifyousay_so

Several fans said they initially assumed the video featured Pedro Pascal himself. Others pointed out how different this contest was compared to past look-alike attempts, referencing a recent Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest that failed to impress. A few humorous posts also joked about Pascal possibly having clones.

"Oh wow he really looks like him! Not like the Timothée Chalamet one a few months ago 😆" – @saiyanakamoto "George Gountas really nailed it! The resemblance is uncanny. Did anyone else think it was Pedro Pascal himself for a moment?" – @xxmahibogixx "What if Pedro Pascal is starring in so many movies and shows because there is more than one Pedro Pascal?" – @Shatnerfan1701

Many fans echoed the same sentiment, often expressing disbelief with humor. Many said they were convinced for a moment that Pascal himself had shown up, while others pointed out funny comparisons or joked about how surreal the resemblance felt.

"😭😂😂😂 Crying at Pedro Pascal showing up and winning" – @ladidaix "Pedro pascal with a bit bill murray in there" – @lulsi328 "In a few years we will be calling him Pedo Pascal lol" – @00MATRX

The contest took place on June 16, 2025, as part of a Father's Day celebration. Gountas's entry surprised both the audience and organizers. His casual resemblance and lack of social media presence made the victory all the more talked about.

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George Gountas wins the Pedro Pascal look-alike contest after surprise entry

Pedro Pascal poses during the "Eddington" photocall at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on June 16, 2025, Gountas said the comparisons began during the early seasons of Game of Thrones.

“It started back when Pedro was on Game of Thrones. He was Red Viper, a very beloved character,” he said. “My wife was so freaked out when he got killed. She’s like, ‘I can’t watch this. I feel like the guy is crushing your head.’”

Gountas, who works as a lighting designer for The Daily Show, also joked,

“I look more like him than I look like my own brother.”

He said it was a stage manager at the show who spotted the contest and encouraged him to join.

“Tyler found the advertisement for the contest and was like, ‘Yo, George, go win some free burritos.’”

His neighbor, a stylist, even helped him put together the outfit. The contest was hosted by Son Del North, a Mexican restaurant on the Lower East Side, and held on Father’s Day. Nearly 30 other contestants participated, with crowds gathering despite the rain. The event was partly inspired by Pedro Pascal's 2023 remark on Hot Ones that there was no good Mexican food in New York. Chef and co-owner Annisha Garcia said,

“We were like, ‘There is, and we are here.’”

Gountas accepted a novelty check that read "Pedro #5" and posed for photos with attendees. One participant even wore a shirt reading "Protect the Dolls and all Immigrants," referencing a slogan Pascal used to support his sister, Lux Pascal. Although Pedro Pascal did not attend, he acknowledged the contest on Instagram with emojis.

“There was a picture on somebody’s Instagram with a side-by-side of him and me,” Gountas said. “Apparently he commented with a couple of tear emojis and a heart.”

This contest followed a series of similar celebrity look-alike events in the city, including one for Timothée Chalamet last October. Gountas, meanwhile, said he hadn’t yet heard from Jon Stewart but expected his colleagues at The Daily Show would have something to say about it. He admitted he felt a bit anxious returning to work, anticipating some playful teasing, but described the workplace as a supportive and tight-knit environment.

The look-alike event may have ended, but the conversations around it continue online. Whether it was his facial structure, haircut, or expression, something clearly resonated with both the in-person audience and the internet crowd.

Edited by Urvashi Vijay More