Two identical twins, dressed in elegant outfits, standing back-to-back in a lush green park, with sun-dappled light glimmering through the trees

National Look-Alike Day is a fun and quirky celebration that honors the uncanny resemblances between people. Whether it’s your doppelganger, a celebrity look-alike, or just someone who shares striking similarities with you, this day is all about embracing and celebrating those look-alike connections.

Quick Facts

  • When is it?: April 20th (annually)
  • Tagged as: Fun, Doppelgangers, Look-Alikes
  • What’s the hashtag?: #NationalLookAlikeDay
  • When was it founded?: 1980s
  • Who founded it?: Jack Etzel, a Pittsburgh television reporter

History of National Look-Alike Day

The origins of National Look-Alike Day trace back to the 1980s when Jack Etzel, a television reporter, and photographer Rick Minutello stumbled upon a man resembling Humphrey Bogart while working on a light news story. Inspired by the experience of asking people about their look-alikes, Etzel declared April 20th as National Look-Alike Day to celebrate these amusing and fascinating resemblances.

Timeline

  • 1980s: Jack Etzel creates National Look-Alike Day after an inspiring street interview.
  • 1846: Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel The Double explores themes of doppelgangers.
  • 1991: The concept of look-alikes gains pop culture attention in Twin Peaks.
  • 2000s: Social media platforms popularize finding doppelgangers online.

Dates by Next Year

YearMonth and DateDay
2025April 20Sunday
2026April 20Monday
2027April 20Tuesday
2028April 20Thursday
2029April 20Friday
2030April 20Saturday

Observed

National Look-Alike Day is observed by dressing up like your look-alike, whether it’s a celebrity or someone you know. People often share photos on social media using the hashtag #NationalLookAlikeDay, host look-alike contests, or simply have fun with friends and family by embracing their similarities.

Fun Facts About National Look-Alike Day

  • The term doppelgänger originates from German and means “double walker.”
  • Folklore suggests everyone has at least one doppelganger in the world.
  • Genetic diversity makes exact matches extremely rare among humans.

Quiz

  1. Who founded National Look-Alike Day?
  2. What year is National Look-Alike Day celebrated on?
  3. What is the hashtag for this day?

(Answers: 1. Jack Etzel; 2. April 20th; 3. #NationalLookAlikeDay)

FAQs

  • Can anyone celebrate National Look-Alike Day?
    Yes! Anyone can participate by dressing up like their look-alike or sharing photos on social media.
  • Is it an official holiday?
    No, it’s an unofficial holiday celebrated for fun.
  • What are some ways to celebrate it?
    Find your doppelganger, dress up like them, or participate in look-alike contests.

Related

  • Twin Day
  • Doppelganger Week
  • Celebrity Impersonation Events