On Sunday, most of the country was celebrating Father’s Day. However, New York City decided to honor daddies with a Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”) lookalike contest. Pedro #5, aka George Gountas, a parent and Brooklyn resident, took home the coveted title.
Gountas isn’t a stranger to the world of entertainment either, since he works as a lighting designer on “The Daily Show.”
Pedro Pascal Doppelganger
Despite his uncanny likeness to the Golden Globe-nominated actor, Gountas only entered the contest because of his wife, Jenny Gania. “It started when ‘Game of Thrones’ came out the first time — that’s when we first heard it,” Gania said. “Then some kids started noting it, too, so I was like, when we saw this [contest], I was like, ‘It’s Father’s Day. You have to go. It’s going to be your Father’s Day treat.’ It’s funny, because he’s not on social media at all. But now he’s going to be everywhere.”
A good thing she did, considering the prize was $50 and a year’s supply of burritos from the host Son Del North Mexican restaurant. As cool as being crowned the #1 Pascal lookalike must be, free food for a year is the real prize here. Gountas beat out nearly 30 other Pascals for the honor, money, and grub.
Son Del North Mexican restaurant got the idea for the event after a 2023 quote from Pascal about New York not having decent Mexican food. “I’m, ‘So sorry, but there’s no Mexican, good Mexican food in New York?’ ” says Annisha Garcia, chef and co-owner. “And we were like, ‘There is, and we are here.’ “
But co-owner Wim Shih has a slightly more light-hearted view on the contest. “There’s just so much sadness in the world right now, and we wanted to be a bit of sunshine today amidst all that,” Shih said.
You can watch Gountas’ victory below, and read his interview with THR here.
