The comparisons to Jeremy Allen White first started for Ben Shabad when the television show “Shameless” premiered. Between his hair and face, the 37-year-old Glenview resident and mental health therapist bears a striking resemblance to the actor.
By the time “The Bear” came out, Shabad said “Hey you look like the guy from that show” became a common refrain. The hundreds who attended Saturday afternoon’s White lookalike contest in Humboldt Park seemed to agree. Shabad received the loudest cheers, and walked away with a crown, trophy, $50 and pack of cigarettes. (He said he doesn’t smoke.)
“It felt really good, and it was just exciting,” Shabad said while surrounded by dozens clamoring to take a picture with him. “I didn’t really plan on winning — especially when I saw all these guys that also looked like Jeremy Allen White — but the energy here is so exciting. I didn’t realize he had so many fans.”
Shabad was one of dozens of contestants who showed up to the competition. While some looked like the 33-year-old actor more than others, they chose the same costume — a blue apron over a white t-shirt to mimic White’s character as a Chicago chef who works at a Mr. Beef-esque sandwich shop on “The Bear.”
There’s been a slew of celebrity lookalike competitions — from Paul Mescal to Harry Styles — ever since the real Timothée Chalamet showed up to his competition in New York City last month. Chicago’s White contest picked up traction online throughout the week.
Shabad credited his win to “luck that he looked a little more like him” than everyone else, especially since it “wasn’t a competition of skill.” He said he was shocked so many people showed up. At first, he thought he would be the only doppelganger present.
During the run of Chicago-based “Shameless,” Elise Wagner said she started noticing similarities between her brother and White, especially when he grew taller and started working out in high school. She convinced him to compete Saturday, with the hopes that White might make an appearance.
“That’s the only reason why she brought me here,” her brother, Charlie Wagner, joked. While he didn’t win, he said he thought the competition went well.
“I was surprised that there were so many people in the city that kind of do look a lot like him,” Elise Wagner, 26, added.
Lily Gray, a 25-year-old Old Town resident, was one of a few women who showed up in costume. Carrying an Italian beef sandwich and a cigarette she picked up from Family Dollar, Gray said her friends encouraged her to dress up after hearing about the contest online. She plans to use her new apron for a Halloween competition next year, she said.
“The Bear is definitely my favorite show,” she said. “I just think he’s so hot.”
“There’s been so many depressing things happening lately. It’s good levity, fun,” she added. “It just goes to show how much people love Chicago.”
