Rebuilding The Bronx
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
Taking Action
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

Brooklyn man goes viral after winning Pedro Pascal lookalike contest

George Gountas, a father and crew member at "The Daily Show," is now known online as “Pedro Number 5” after winning a Pedro Pascal lookalike contest over the weekend.

Valerie Ryan

Jun 18, 2025, 6:01 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

What started as a joke is now turning into internet fame for one Brooklyn man crowned Pedro Pascal's lookalike.

George Gountas, a father and crew member at "The Daily Show," is now known online as “Pedro Number 5” after winning a Pedro Pascal lookalike contest over the weekend.

“My thought process was just go up there and have fun,” Gountas told News 12.

He said the idea began when one of his colleagues sent out a group text suggesting he enter the contest, which came with a prize of free burritos for a year and $50. Gountas said he initially brushed it off, but his wife encouraged him to go for it.

“I didn’t think anything of it. I showed it to my wife a few days later and she was like, ‘Yeah, you’re going to do it,’” he said.

By Sunday evening, “Pedro Number 5” had taken over social media.

“Since then, I’ve been doing all this press — people are sending cars to my house and picking me up,” he said.

While balancing his full-time job and life as a dad, Gountas said he’s enjoying the unexpected attention for now — but his wife has just one request.

“She’s cool with me getting this attention… as long as she gets to meet him," he said, referring to the real Pedro Pascal.

More Stories

Top Stories

01:21
Screenshot 2026-04-15 130704

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Violent arrest made inside Boreum Hill liquor store; investigation underway

01:50
record heat possible today

Record-breaking heat possible in Brooklyn today with a chance of rain

00:20
0f1a2bdc-367e-4fbd-9814-499e45f9696f

Fire erupts at apartment building in East New York

Chris Wright

U.S. energy secretary addresses rising gas prices and tri‑state energy challenges in exclusive interview

01:47
14yostabbed530pZC_2026-04-14-17-47-50

14-year-old boy stabbed outside of middle school in Bushwick

AP26105688281469

Jury finds that Ticketmaster and Live Nation had an anticompetitive monopoly over big concert venues

AP26105587936686

Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Claus, authorities say

01:24
415HOCHULTAXPROPOSALNOON_2026-04-15-12-15-07

Governor proposes second homeowners in NYC to pay extra taxes

00:23
KLN59THSTKNIFEPOINTROBBERY41326530A_2026-04-13-06-09-50

Teens robbed at knifepoint in Sunset Park

01:39
415edricstabbingnoon_2026-04-15-12-34-22

Man fatally stabbed in Crown Heights, suspect on the run

01:55
415shakti_2026-04-15-06-50-33

Brooklyn furniture company ordered to pay $350K in settlement over customer complaints

00:26
KLNSTERLINGSTHITANDRUN41526530A_2026-04-15-05-36-02

Pedestrian struck in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, driver on the run

00:24
KLNFLATBUSHSHOOTING41526530A_2026-04-15-05-39-50

Man shot in the leg in Flatbush

01:35
IMG 7765

How to find deer-resistant plants & keep deer out of your garden for good

01:42
grandarmyplazaredesignCM_2026-04-14-22-49-01

City launches proposal to eliminate cars on section of Grand Army Plaza

01:22
7bb683e9-4a2d-422d-bf18-f0c7433b73d7

Record-breaking heat expected across the tri-state Wednesday

01:51
Wright

Exclusive: Energy Secretary Chris Wright discusses the future of tri-state power, gas prices and the AI surge

02:31
Screenshot 2026-04-14 112834

‘I didn’t know it was going to happen.’ Man charged in fatal shooting of baby pleads not guilty

01:53
kingstonavefireCM_2026-04-14-17-38-15

Tragedy in East Flatbush: Mother and son killed in overnight apartment fire

03:07
BXBK5PMHEATHERAOC_2026-04-14-17-21-17

Exclusive: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tours Port Morris site to revitalize waterfront

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices