5 Shocking Facts About George Gountas: The Pedro #5 Look-Alike Who Won The Internet (And Free Burritos)

The internet has a new "Daddy," and his name is George Gountas, better known to fans as "Pedro #5." This Brooklyn father, who works behind the scenes in television, shot to unexpected fame after winning a highly publicized Pedro Pascal look-alike contest in New York City. The story of how a humble lighting designer became an overnight viral sensation—complete with a hilarious appearance on *The Daily Show*—is a testament to the power of an uncanny resemblance and the internet's obsession with the beloved actor. As of December 10, 2025, Gountas remains the reigning champion and the face of the *Pedro Pascal doppelgänger* phenomenon. His sudden celebrity has brought a spotlight to his quiet life in Greenpoint and his professional career, revealing a man who is both genuinely surprised and good-natured about his new title. From his wife's initial observation on *Game of Thrones* to his $50 cash prize and a year's supply of burritos, here is the deep dive into the life and unexpected fame of Pedro #5.

George Gountas: The Man Behind 'Pedro #5' - A Full Biography

George Gountas, the man who captured the internet's attention for his striking resemblance to Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal, is a seasoned professional in the world of television and theater production, not an aspiring actor. His journey to viral fame was entirely accidental, driven by his wife and a fun, local contest.

• Full Name: George Gountas
• Nickname: Pedro #5, Daddy #5
• Known For: Winning the New York City Pedro Pascal Look-Alike Contest (2025).
• Age: Approximately 42 years old (at the time of the contest).
• Hometown: Brooklyn, New York. Specifically resides in the Greenpoint neighborhood.
• Marital Status: Married to Jenny Gountas. They are a beloved "Internet Couple" due to her role in his fame.
• Occupation: Lighting Designer / Lighting Director / Second Assistant Lighting Designer.
• Primary Workplace: *The Daily Show* (a long-running satirical news program).
• Career Highlights: Gountas has an extensive career in technical production, with credits in Broadway productions and other major television and film projects, long before his viral moment.
• Origin of Resemblance: His wife, Jenny, first noticed the uncanny similarity when watching Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell (The Red Viper) in HBO's *Game of Thrones*.

Gountas’s background as a professional lighting designer for *The Daily Show* is a crucial detail, as it adds a layer of irony to his sudden, on-camera fame. He is accustomed to being the man behind the scenes, ensuring the stars look their best, not standing in the spotlight himself. His unexpected win turned his professional world upside down, leading to a surprise interview with host Jon Stewart.

The "Pedro #5" moniker came from the contest itself, which assigned numbers to the contestants. Gountas, entering as the fifth participant, was crowned the winner, and the nickname stuck as he became a media darling.

The Unlikely Path to Viral Fame: A Wife, a Contest, and Free Burritos

George Gountas’s path to becoming the internet’s most convincing *Pedro Pascal doppelgänger* is a heartwarming and hilarious tale of a husband being convinced by his wife to embrace his celebrity look-alike status.

The 'Game of Thrones' Origin Story

The entire phenomenon began years ago, not on a red carpet, but on the couch watching television. Gountas’s wife, Jenny, was the first to point out the striking resemblance to the actor. The moment of realization came while watching *Game of Thrones*, specifically the famously tragic scene where Pedro Pascal's character, Oberyn Martell, meets his end. Jenny reportedly found the scene unbearable because it was like watching her own husband die. This personal anecdote quickly became a foundational part of Gountas's narrative, fueling the public's fascination with their relationship and the resemblance.

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The NYC Look-Alike Contest and the Grand Prize

The contest that launched Gountas’s fame was held on a Sunday afternoon on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, hosted by the Mexican restaurant Son del North. The event, which took place on Father's Day, attracted a massive crowd—many of whom were eager fans of the "internet daddy" phenomenon surrounding Pascal. Gountas, initially hesitant, was pushed by his wife to participate.

He faced off against approximately 30 other mustachioed, charming contestants, all vying for the coveted title. The ultimate prize for being crowned "Pedro #5" was a modest $50 in cash and a year's supply of free burritos from the sponsoring restaurant. This prize—a year of burritos—became an immediate running joke, perfectly encapsulating the lighthearted, low-stakes nature of the contest and the high-stakes viral attention it generated.

From Lighting Designer to Late-Night Guest: The Daily Show Connection

The story of George Gountas took a truly surreal turn when his newfound fame intersected directly with his professional life.

The Surprise Interview with Jon Stewart

Upon winning the contest, Gountas became an immediate local celebrity, giving interviews to news outlets like FOX 5 NY. However, the biggest shock came when his boss, *The Daily Show* host Jon Stewart, learned that his own lighting designer was the viral sensation "Pedro #5." Stewart, visibly amused and surprised, invited Gountas to be a guest on the show, moving him from behind the lights to center stage.

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During the interview, Gountas, a man who normally ensures the lighting is perfect for others, was the focus of the camera. He recounted the contest experience, his wife’s role in pushing him to enter, and the general bewilderment of his sudden fame. This appearance on a major late-night show cemented his status as a legitimate viral star and provided a massive boost to his public profile.

The Special Request to Pedro Pascal

The highlight of Gountas’s interview with Jon Stewart was a heartfelt moment where he used his platform to make a direct plea to the real Pedro Pascal. Looking straight into the camera, George Gountas—"Pedro #5"—requested that the actor meet his wife, Jenny. This request was a touching tribute to his wife, who had been the catalyst for his fame and whose fandom for Pascal was the source of his look-alike journey. The moment instantly went viral, prompting fans to rally behind the idea of an eventual meeting between the two "Pedros" and the enthusiastic Jenny.

The Legacy of Pedro #5 and the Doppelgänger Economy

George Gountas’s story is more than just a fleeting internet trend; it’s a perfect example of the modern *doppelgänger economy* and the enduring appeal of celebrity look-alikes.

Topical Authority and LSI Keywords

The "Pedro #5" phenomenon taps directly into the cultural zeitgeist surrounding Pedro Pascal. The actor, known for his roles as Din Djarin in *The Mandalorian* and Joel Miller in *The Last of Us*, has become an internet icon, often referred to affectionately as the "Internet Daddy." The look-alike contest capitalizes on this massive, dedicated fanbase.

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Gountas’s win, beating out dozens of other hopefuls, highlights the public’s desire for connection to celebrity culture. The use of LSI keywords such as *Pedro Pascal doppelgänger*, *NYC look-alike contest*, and *The Daily Show lighting designer* all point to the specific, niche interest that has made this story so popular. His genuine, down-to-earth personality—a working dad from Greenpoint—contrasts sharply with the Hollywood glamour of the man he resembles, making him an even more endearing figure to the public.

The Ongoing Search for a Meeting

As of late 2025, the internet continues to buzz with hope for a meeting between George Gountas and Pedro Pascal. While the actor himself has not made a public, direct statement about meeting "Pedro #5," the attention has not waned. The story serves as a fun, positive example of how a simple resemblance can lead to a moment of viral celebrity, a year of free burritos, and a great story for a Brooklyn dad.

George Gountas, the accidental star, continues his work as a lighting designer, occasionally stepping into the spotlight as the internet’s favorite *Pedro Pascal look-alike*. His story is a fresh reminder that sometimes, the biggest stars are found not on the screen, but right behind the camera.