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Who Is Pete Davidson?
Pete Davidson is a renowned comedian and actor who has garnered a devoted fan base by transforming his personal struggles and tragedies into poignant yet humorous confessions on stage. He began his stand-up career and made appearances on various television shows before becoming one of the youngest cast members of the iconic sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live in 2014, where he remained for seven seasons. Davidson has hosted numerous comedy specials and starred in several films, including The King of Staten Island, a semi-autobiographical film loosely based on his life experiences. His high-profile relationships, particularly his brief engagement to pop singer Ariana Grande and his subsequent relationship with Kim Kardashian, have also attracted significant media attention, often stirring public interest and controversy, notably with her ex-husband, Kanye West.
Early Life and Career
Born Peter Michael Davidson on November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York, Davidson is the son of Amy and Scott Davidson. His father, a firefighter with Ladder 118 in Brooklyn, tragically lost his life responding to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This profound loss deeply affected Davidson, who faced numerous challenges during his childhood, including severe bullying and mental health struggles. At one point, he resorted to pulling out his own hair, resulting in a bald appearance. Over the years, a group of psychologists studied Davidson to understand the psychological effects of the 9/11 attacks, which he has described as feeling like a “lab rat” in their research. He openly discussed his childhood struggles with suicidal thoughts and a suicide attempt at age nine. Davidson credits rapper Kid Cudi, known for his own candid discussions about mental health and suicide, as a pivotal influence in his life, stating, “I would’ve killed myself if I didn’t have Kid Cudi. I truly believe if Man on the Moon didn’t come out, I wouldn’t be here.”
Davidson’s first stand-up performance took place at a bowling alley in Staten Island when he was just 16, prompted by a dare from friends who were aware of his comedic aspirations. After graduating from Xaverian High School in 2011, he briefly attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn but ultimately decided to drop out to pursue his passion for comedy.
In 2013, Davidson began making appearances on various MTV shows, including Failosophy and Guy Code, along with a guest role on Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’N Out. His televised stand-up debut occurred in 2014 on Comedy Central’s Gotham Comedy Live, leading to more stand-up gigs on platforms such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Comedy Underground with Dave Attell. That same year, he was cast in a pilot episode for a Fox comedy titled Sober Companion, although the network did not pick it up.
Saturday Night Live
Following his guest appearance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Pete Davidson secured a minor role in the 2015 comedy film Trainwreck, starring Amy Schumer and Bill Hader. Hader recognized Davidson’s potential and recommended him to Saturday Night Live (SNL) producer Lorne Michaels. This led to Davidson auditioning for the show, ultimately earning a spot as a cast member for its 40th season in 2014. At just 20 years old, he became one of the youngest cast members in the show’s history.
During his tenure on SNL, Davidson received widespread acclaim for his performances, notably for characters like Chad, an easily distracted youth, and several popular pre-taped segments, including a rap video featuring Gunna, Chris Redd, and Simon Rex. He also became a familiar face on the show’s Weekend Update segment, where he delivered candid commentary on his personal life and current events.
In 2016, Davidson was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which noted his prowess in both sketch comedy and stand-up. He frequently collaborated with his close friend and fellow comedian John Mulaney, a writer on SNL. However, Davidson’s humor sometimes crossed lines; he faced backlash in November 2018 for making jokes about Texas congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw, who lost an eye while serving in Afghanistan. This incident prompted Davidson to apologize publicly to Crenshaw the following week, after receiving death threats related to his comments.
After seven seasons, Davidson left Saturday Night Live in 2022, reflecting that his time on the show “really changed my life.” He expressed his sentiments about the departure on Instagram.
Movies and Comedy Specials
Davidson’s success on SNL propelled him into various film, television, and stand-up comedy projects. He gained notoriety for his sharp humor during a comedy roast of pop superstar Justin Bieber, where he made startling jokes about his father’s death on 9/11. His first stand-up special, Pete Davidson: SMD, premiered on Comedy Central in 2016.
Following a supporting role in the 2018 romantic comedy Set It Up, Davidson starred in five films released in 2019, including What Men Want, The Dirt, and The Jesus Rolls. He also voiced Jerry the Eagle in The Angry Birds 2 and both starred in and executive produced Big Time Adolescence, a coming-of-age film about a college dropout who befriends a teenager. In his 2020 Netflix special, Pete Davidson: Alive in New York, he revisited his earlier controversy involving Dan Crenshaw and shared insights about his experiences with comedian Louis C.K., who allegedly attempted to have him removed from SNL due to his marijuana use.
In 2020, Davidson co-wrote, executive produced, and starred in The King of Staten Island, a semi-autobiographical comedy inspired by his life. In the film, he portrays a high school dropout living with his mother and sister, aspiring to be a tattoo artist while grappling with the memories of his father’s death as a firefighter. Director Judd Apatow, who co-wrote and produced the film, emphasized the importance of capturing the emotions and history drawn from Davidson’s real-life experiences. Davidson has continued to act in films throughout the 2020s, including a brief yet pivotal role in the DC Comics film The Suicide Squad (2021), as well as starring in the horror comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) and the romantic comedy Meet Cute alongside Kaley Cuoco. He also lent his voice to the title character in the animated comedy Marmaduke. Davidson co-created and starred in the television series Bupkis, which premiered on the Peacock streaming service in May 2023. The show features a fictionalized version of Davidson navigating the challenges of fame and his comedy career, with Edie Falco and Joe Pesci portraying his mother and grandfather, respectively.
Health Condition and Mental Illness
Davidson has been open about his struggles with health issues and mental illness. He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in his late teens and has used marijuana to manage his symptoms. Notably, his character in The King of Staten Island also has Crohn’s disease. Additionally, Davidson was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, which he has stated contributed to his persistent feelings of depression. After his diagnosis, he began therapy and medication to address the disorder.
In 2016, Davidson took a hiatus from SNL to focus on sobriety, believing that his excessive marijuana use and drinking were triggering mental health crises. However, he later revealed that quitting substances led to increased negativity in his life. “I got sober for three months, and I was just, like, never sadder,” he remarked in an interview with Peter Rosenberg on Complex’s Open Late. After understanding that his depression stemmed from borderline personality disorder, he resumed drinking and using recreational marijuana.
Relationships
Davidson’s romantic life, often highlighted by entertainment media, has included several high-profile relationships. His ex-girlfriends encompass a range of notable figures, including comedian Carly Aquilino, writer Cazzie David, actress Margaret Qualley, model Kaia Gerber, actress Phoebe Dynevor, and writer Emily Ratajkowski.
Davidson and pop icon Ariana Grande initially attracted attention after her performance at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2018. Within weeks, they shocked fans with their engagement announcement; Davidson professed his desire to marry her upon their first meeting. The intense public interest in their relationship led Davidson to delete his Instagram to avoid “negative energy.” Their romance concluded swiftly, with their breakup announced in October 2018. Grande’s song “Thank U, Next” was inspired by their relationship, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In March 2019, Davidson began dating actress Kate Beckinsale, and they were seen together at a Golden Globes after-party and a New York Rangers hockey game. However, the relationship ended shortly thereafter, with Davidson citing it as “not the right time” for them.
One of Davidson’s most notable relationships was with reality star Kim Kardashian, which began in November 2021 while she was finalizing her divorce from Kanye West. West publicly criticized Davidson multiple times following the onset of their relationship, even referencing him in his song “Eazy” and depicting a claymation figure of Davidson being kidnapped in the accompanying music video. Davidson and Kardashian ended their relationship in August 2022, citing demanding work schedules and long-distance challenges.
Tattoos
Davidson’s body art includes a notable tattoo of Hillary Clinton on his leg, which he refers to as his “hero.” Following his relationship with Ariana Grande, he had a black bunny mask tattooed behind his ear as a nod to her Dangerous Woman album cover. After their split, he replaced the bunny mask with a black heart tattoo.
Additionally, Davidson shares a matching tattoo with singer Miley Cyrus, which reads “WE BABIES,” a reference to a skit they performed together on SNL.