On Sunday, George Gountas enjoyed a life of relative obscurity. True, the 42-year-old resident of Brooklyn has enjoyed a taste of the limelight — literally, as he’s been the lighting designer for The Daily Show since 2018.
And yes, he was used to being told he looked like a certain celebrity whose profile has skyrocketed in recent years. But for the most part, he was just George from Greenpoint, father of two.
All of that changed yesterday when Gountas, egged on by his wife and Daily Show staffers, entered a Pedro Pascal lookalike contest.
Sponsored by Lower East Side’s Son Del North Mexican restaurant — who wanted to prove the Materialists star wrong in his assessment on Hot Ones that New York has no good Mexican food — the competition gave the winner burritos for a year and $50 cash, plus unlimited bragging rights.
It was instantly obvious to everyone in attendance (and hundreds of onlookers showed up, plus a couple dozen contestants) that Pedro No. 5 was the obvious winner.
Pascal, 50, has already given his blessing, commented on a viral Instagram post about Gountas’ win with a teary-eyed smiley face emoji and a heart.
Gountas granted his first post-triumph media interview to The Hollywood Reporter.
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George, I have to say this is very startling. Your resemblance to Pedro Pascal must have interrupted your life a lot over the past few years.
It started back when Pedro was on Game of Thrones. He was Red Viper, a very beloved character. They killed off a lot of those in very startling fashion. 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.” Then my daughter’s classmates would tell their parents how I “look like famous people.” They’d take pictures of their TVs and send them to my wife.
You could be his twin brother.
I look more like him than I look like my own brother.
What’s amazing is that you also work in show business, like him. Tell me about your job.
I am the lighting designer at The Daily Show, which is a wonderful place to work. We’re a very tight-knit group and have a daily text on what’s needed for the day. One of the stage managers, Tyler, found the advertisement for the contest and was like, “Yo, George, go win some free burritos.” I showed it to my wife and she’s like, “Yeah, you’re going to this.” My neighbor is a stylist and art director and she was like, “I’ve got shoes for you, I’ve got pants for you.” It was a whole thing.
Pedro has done a lot of talk shows, but has he done The Daily Show?
In my tenure he hasn’t been there. I’ve been there since 2018. So I don’t remember him coming by, but hopefully he does now.
I feel like that’s imminent now.
There was a picture on somebody’s Instagram with a side-by-side of him and me. Apparently he commented with a couple of tear emojis and a heart. So it was pretty funny.
That’s going to be a huge summit, just the two of you meeting. Let’s talk about the contest. It was at a Mexican restaurant. The whole root of it is that he complained about Mexican food in New York?
That’s my understanding. I’m assuming he lives in Los Angeles and obviously L.A. is known for its great Mexican food. He wasn’t happy [with New York’s offerings]. So they said, “We’ll show you. We’re going to do this contest.” I already started trying my first burritos. And they’re excellent.
Tell me about the scene there. Was it mayhem? How many people showed up?
It was unbelievable. I live in Greenpoint, which is not too far away. My kids wanted to come, so my wife and kids joined me. And as we’re getting closer, there’s 1000 people in the street. Cars are honking, trying to get by. Apparently you’re supposed to sign up in advance. I didn’t. I just kind of walked up and said, “Hey, I’m here.”
And so you met your other contestants. The other ones did not hold a candle to you. I guess they all realized it the second they saw you.
Listen, I sized them all up, I’m not going to lie. No. 18 look good from far. Great head of hair. No. 18 had me beat in that department. The Instagram comments are pretty vicious, saying I should go to Turkey. Don’t read the comments.
So you were named the winner and what do you get?
Burritos for a year, and 50 bucks. That’s like going out for ice cream at Green Point.
Have you heard from any of your bosses at The Daily Show yet?
Everyone’s super supportive. It’s been pretty insane. There’s a full page spread in The New York Post and people are just screenshotting everything and sending it to me.
Has Jon Stewart said anything?
I haven’t seen or spoken to him yet. I’m anxious about going to the show and have everybody make fun of me. It’s kind of a very cool family environment there.
