Dr Rowley’s lookalike

Senior Investigative Reporter

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There is no denying that 72-year-old Gary Julien bears a striking resemblance to former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Julien’s uncanny similarity to Rowley often draws stares from motorists, pedestrians, passengers and passers-by, as he hawks cold drinks and bags of hot nuts while seated on a strip of concrete between Railway Road and Fifth Street in San Juan.

From quietly plying his trade on the bustling streets to suddenly becoming a familiar face in the busy commercial hub, Julien is living his best life.

Many have mistaken Julien for Rowley, who served as the People’s National Movement (PNM) leader for almost 15 years.

People passing by almost always do a double-take, as the two men bear a striking resemblance.

Before the 28 April General Election, Julien said people began calling him Rowley.

He was even approached by a group of women who began gyrating in front of his stall.

“They said they wanted to take out pictures with the prime minister,” Julien recalled. He obliged. Before leaving, Julien said, the women purchased all his drinks and nuts.

He proudly said that his lookalike image has brought him many rewards, with his customer base soaring and sales increasing.

Among Julien’s regular customers are politicians and cricketers.

A 20-second video of Julien went viral on the eve of the election, catapulting him into the spotlight. It showed him peddling bottled water on the street, while a voice in the clip asked if he was Rowley.

The next day, Julien said, nearly every vehicle that passed his vending spot stopped to get a closer look—some even snapped photos and took videos of him. Now, drivers regularly honk their horns to get his attention or send a friendly wave.

Up close, Julien bears a striking resemblance to Rowley, with a similar jawline, eyes, nose, lips, and facial structure. They also share a similar height, complexion, and both wear spectacles. Julien, like Rowley, is bald—but usually hides it under a red baseball cap.

Julien pulled out three photographs of himself in his younger days, showing he shared no resemblance to Rowley. His features, he said, began to change about five years ago. He said that as he continues to age, the resemblance has become more pronounced and noticeable.

“They call me Rowley right through. Rowley straight, because if you resemble some permanent figure, you will take it as a plus and run with it,” Julien said.

Many people often ask Julien if he’s related to the former prime minister.

“Others would ask if I come from Tobago. Some would say, ‘Gosh, you look like Rowley in truth.’ It’s just a Trini thing, you know,” a smiling Julien told the Sunday Guardian during an interview on Tuesday.

Those comments brighten his day.

“Every day I am happy right here just meeting people and hearing their comments. I get a lot of good vibes out here,” the father of four said.

“You know, a lot of people come and they say, ‘Let me buy something from the prime minister,’” he said with a laugh.

As Julien spoke about his life as a street vendor, drivers slowed down to offer warm greetings and words of encouragement.

“How yuh going, boss? Everything good? Glad to see you out as usual. Don’t give up the fight,” one motorist enquired from Julien, who acknowledged the driver by nodding his head up and down.

Two minutes later, another driver shouted from his vehicle, “Rowley, give me a cold bottle of water dey,” while handing Julien a crumpled $5 bill.

Shaded beneath an umbrella, Julien let out a hearty laugh as he reached into his ice cooler for the drink.

While most of the comments have been respectful, Julien said that after the election, one man threatened to shoot him because of his resemblance to Rowley.

He noted that while some people support Rowley, others are critical of him.

“They are still carrying baggage.”

Julien described Rowley as a good man who did a lot for the nation.

“And I believe he is the right man for this time we’re living in to run this country.”

He added, however, that Rowley’s biggest fault was not paying attention “to the downtrodden, to those that helped put him there. I think he went a little off-key and that frustrated the population to some degree.”

That frustration ultimately led to the PNM’s defeat by the UNC in the general election.

Look-alikes with very different lives

What sets both men apart?

Julien, who grew up in Laventille, is a cricket fan, while Rowley, a Tobagonian, is a golf lover.

While Rowley, 75, is happily married to his wife, Sharon, Julien, by contrast, is divorced.

Julien said he loves his job, stating that if he can earn an honest dollar as a senior citizen, the younger generation can do the same.

“I am out here to be an example. Let the young man out there look at this old man and say, ‘Yes, you know, if he can do it, we should be able to do it.’ Give it a try.”

He spends nine hours daily in the blistering sun or rain to earn an honest living.

His patriotism and love for the country were evident. Embroidered on his white shirt was the T&T flag.

After retiring in 2010 as a lab technician at an ophthalmology business, Julien began selling in San Juan.

He proudly recalled fitting corrective lenses into the frames of three former presidents—Maxwell Richards, ANR Robinson, and Sir Ellis Clarke—who were customers of the establishment.

Despite 43 years of service, Julien said he received no severance benefits from his employers. With support from a union, he took the company to court, and the case remains pending.

“Every year they (union) telling me to hold on, I will get it (the money).”

Frustration led Julien to become a vendor—a choice he doesn’t regret.

He said he hopes to meet Rowley in person one day.