Peter Davidson is a well-known American comedian and actor who gained popularity for his eight-year run as a featured cast member on the late-night sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, which aired from 2014 to 2022. He has also appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, showcasing his diverse acting talents. Among his other achievements, he has showcased his comedic stylings on an eclectic range of programs, including Comedy Underground with Dave Attell, Adam Devine’s House Party, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Throughout his career, Pete Davidson has been a staunch supporter of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He has even gone as far as getting a tattoo of her likeness on his thigh, citing her as a source of immense inspiration. Davidson is widely considered one of the most promising young comedians in the American entertainment industry and has a global following numbering in the millions. He gained notoriety through his eight-year tenure as a featured performer on Saturday Night Live, as well as for his appearances in various movies and TV shows. One of his distinguishing features is his ability to draw material from his life’s experiences, deftly weaving these anecdotes into his stand-up performances. Some of his favorite topics include romantic relationships, cannabis use, and campus life, among others.
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Biography and Family
Pete Davidson was born on November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York, USA, to parents Amy and Scott Davidson. Unfortunately, when Davidson was only seven years old, his father died in the September 11 terrorist attacks while trying to save people from the Marriott World Trade Center hotel. The experience was traumatic for Davidson, and he struggled with the loss, seeking help at a mental health facility and even experiencing hair loss and suicidal thoughts as a result.
Despite the tragedy, Davidson continued his education, attending St. Joseph High School, Tottenville High School, and Xaverian High School before graduating in 2011. He enrolled at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights to further his education but decided to pursue a career in comedy after just one semester. At the age of sixteen, Davidson tried stand-up comedy for the first time at a bowling alley on Staten Island, and his friends’ challenge to take the stage sparked his desire to become a comedian. Davidson’s father was primarily of Jewish descent, with some distant German, Irish, and Italian heritage, while his mother’s family is mostly of Irish descent with some German roots. Davidson was raised Catholic and has a younger sister named Casey.
Relationships
Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande’s connection became public after Grande’s performance at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards in May. The couple surprised their fans by announcing their engagement within a month of dating.
During an interview with GQ for its September 2018 edition, Davidson talked about his relationship with Grande and how he told her on their first date that he wanted to marry her the next day. Davidson also expressed how lucky he felt to have Grande in his life. However, the couple ended their engagement in October 2018, bringing their short-lived romance to an end. Following their breakup, Davidson was linked to actress Kate Beckinsale and actress/model Kaia Gerber.
Career
In 2013, Pete Davidson started appearing as a guest on several MTV shows, including Failosophy, Guy Code, and Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out. He also began appearing regularly on the latter. He made his debut in stand-up comedy on the television program Gotham Comedy Live, which is broadcast on Comedy Central, and went on to perform in stand-up comedy on other programs such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Comedy Underground with Dave Attell.
Davidson got a small part in the Amy Schumer and Bill Hader comedy Trainwreck after getting a guest-starring role on the hit television show Brooklyn Nine-Nine. However, his career-defining role came when Hader recommended him for a spot on the cast of Saturday Night Live. At 20 years old, he was among the youngest to join the show’s cast.
He became known for his political views, which he often shared on the show’s regular “Weekend Update” segment. However, Davidson occasionally crossed the line with his comedy. In November 2018, he received backlash for making fun of Texas congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw, who had lost an eye in Afghanistan while serving in the military. Davidson apologized to Crenshaw on the program the following week.
After gaining fame from his SNL performances, Davidson appeared in the 2018 romantic comedy Set It Up and Justin Bieber’s Comedy Central Roast. He also had roles in four films in 2019. In early 2020, a stand-up comedy special featuring Davidson called Pete Davidson: Alive in New York was released on Netflix, in which he discussed the Crenshaw controversy and his interactions with Louis C.K. In June 2020, the comedy film The King of Staten Island, directed by Judd Apatow and based on Davidson’s life, was released.
Health
Pete Davidson is a well-known comedian and actor in the entertainment industry who has faced significant mental health challenges. He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he was between 17 and 18 years old and receives intravenous therapy for treatment. For pain management and recreational purposes, Davidson uses medicinal marijuana.
In 2017, Davidson announced on his Instagram page that he had given up drugs and was sober for the first time in eight years. However, during an appearance on comedian Marc Maron’s podcast, Davidson clarified that marijuana was the only substance he ever took. He also revealed that he had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, which had previously caused him to experience psychological and emotional issues that he had attributed to his marijuana use.
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness characterized by mood swings, shifts in self-image, and changes in behavior. People with BPD often engage in impulsive behaviors and have difficulties in interpersonal relationships. They may also experience strong feelings of rage, despair, and anxiety that can last for several hours or days at a time.
In December 2018, Davidson posted a message on Instagram expressing thoughts of suicide. He quickly deleted his social media account after publishing the post. Concerned fans and his ex-fiancée Ariana Grande urged the New York Police Department to perform a mental health assessment on Davidson, which they did.
Comedy style
Pete Davidson’s comedy style is often centered around his personal life experiences, which include sharing “ugly truths and disgusting confessions.” Despite the sensitive nature of some of these topics, his willingness to share them has garnered him a lot of respect and admiration from his audience. He often talks about drug use, sexual encounters, and relationships, and touches on challenging subjects like his struggles in high school and his short stint at St. Francis College, where he lived in a dormitory. He even incorporates the tragedy of losing his father in the September 11 terrorist attacks into his comedy, using it as a source of strength to overcome feelings of helplessness.
Controversies Surrounding Pete Davidson and the Catholic Church
Pete Davidson made comments on “Saturday Night Live” that linked the Church’s sex abuse crises to the charges against R. Kelly, which led Catholic leaders to demand an apology from the show. In the skit, Davidson stated that Kelly should spend the rest of his life in prison and questioned if supporting the Catholic Church is the same as being an R. Kelly fan. The Diocese of Brooklyn issued a statement demanding an apology from NBC and “SNL” for the “disgraceful and disrespectful” comedy. They criticized Davidson for seeming to make light of the sexual abuse issues that have afflicted the Church for many years and stated that the clergy sex abuse issue is disgusting and no one should ever make a joke at the pain of the victims who have suffered terribly.
Interesting Facts about Pete Davidson
- Pete Davidson’s father died during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center while on duty as a hero.
- He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in his adolescent years and also struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder.
- Davidson is an admirer of Hillary Clinton and even has a tattoo of her on his leg. He voted for her in the presidential election.
- At 16 years old, he did his first stand-up act at a bowling alley on Staten Island, which led him to pursue a career in comedy.
- He has been in high-profile relationships with four well-known women, including Carly Aquito, Cazzie David, Ariana Grande, and Kate Beckinsale.
- Ariana Grande’s song “Sweetener” is dedicated to Pete Davidson, and she briefly references him in her song “Thank U Next.”
- In March 2021, a woman falsely claimed to be Davidson’s wife and entered his residence, which may lead to legal consequences.
- He has several visible tattoos, including one on his left arm with the number 8418, which is in remembrance of his late father’s fireman badge number.
FAQs
What is Pete Davidson known for?
Pete Davidson is best known for his work on the television show Saturday Night Live and his stand-up comedy performances.
What happened to Pete Davidson’s father?
Pete Davidson’s father, Scott Davidson, was a firefighter who died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
What mental health condition does Pete Davidson have?
Pete Davidson has been diagnosed with borderline personality