What many San Diegans believed was a surprise visit from Snoop Dogg over the weekend has now been clarified: the man spotted strolling along the bayfront near Seaport Village was not the legendary rapper himself, but a professional impersonator.
The individual seen in viral video originally posted by Instagram user @sdbbenni before being shared by multiple far-reaching local accounts was Eric Finch, widely known in the entertainment industry as Snoop Dogg’s official lookalike and doppelgänger. The mix-up spread quickly across social media, fueled by Finch’s striking resemblance to Snoop, complete with signature braids, mannerisms, voice cadence, and iconic West Coast styling.
The confusion was understandable. Finch has built a career on being mistaken for Snoop Dogg, often appearing in commercials, television shows, films, music videos, and live events as a professional double. He has even worked on projects connected directly to Snoop Dogg himself, further blurring the line for casual observers.
Meanwhile, the real Snoop Dogg was very much accounted for elsewhere. Just hours after the San Diego sighting circulated, Snoop posted to his verified Instagram account confirming that he would be serving as a presenter at the Golden Globe Awards later in the weekend. The ceremony is being held at the The Beverly Hilton, where Snoop is set to appear on one of Hollywood’s most high-profile stages.
Eric Finch’s background helps explain why so many people were fooled. A Louisiana native and U.S. Navy veteran who retired after more than 20 years of service at Camp Pendleton, Finch transitioned into entertainment and has since appeared as Snoop Dogg’s double in major commercials for brands including Corona, 19 Crimes, Bic, G-Star Raw, Klarna, Vivint, Pepsi, and more, including Super Bowl ads. His work also spans television shows, films, and music videos alongside major artists, making him one of the most recognizable celebrity lookalikes in the industry.
Finch is generally transparent about his identity, often clarifying to fans that he is not Snoop Dogg while still engaging with the public and posing for photos. In San Diego, however, the context, timing, and proximity to major events combined to create a perfect storm of mistaken identity, leading many to believe the hip-hop icon had quietly touched down downtown.
The episode underscores both Snoop Dogg’s enduring cultural presence and the unusual reality of modern celebrity, where likeness, performance, and social media virality can briefly rewrite the narrative. While San Diego did not, in fact, host the real Snoop Dogg over the weekend, the city still played host to a moment that captured just how iconic his image remains.
As for the real Snoop Dogg, all signs point north. He’ll be taking the stage tonight in Beverly Hills, presenting at the Golden Globes and reminding the world that while lookalikes may roam the coast, the original still commands the spotlight.
Originally published on January 10, 2026.
Eric Finch’s background helps explain why so many people were fooled. A Louisiana native and U.S. Navy veteran who retired after more than 20 years of service at Camp Pendleton, Finch transitioned into entertainment and has since appeared as Snoop Dogg’s double in major commercials for brands including Corona, 19 Crimes, Bic, G-Star Raw, Klarna, Vivint, Pepsi, and more, including Super Bowl ads. His work also spans television shows, films, and music videos alongside major artists, making him one of the most recognizable celebrity lookalikes in the industry.
Finch is generally transparent about his identity, often clarifying to fans that he is not Snoop Dogg while still engaging with the public and posing for photos. In San Diego, however, the context, timing, and proximity to major events combined to create a perfect storm of mistaken identity, leading many to believe the hip-hop icon had quietly touched down downtown.
The episode underscores both Snoop Dogg’s enduring cultural presence and the unusual reality of modern celebrity, where likeness, performance, and social media virality can briefly rewrite the narrative. While San Diego did not, in fact, host the real Snoop Dogg over the weekend, the city still played host to a moment that captured just how iconic his image remains.
As for the real Snoop Dogg, all signs point north. He’ll be taking the stage tonight in Beverly Hills, presenting at the Golden Globes and reminding the world that while lookalikes may roam the coast, the original still commands the spotlight.
Originally published on January 10, 2026.
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