Pete Davidson: The Rise of a Comedy Star
Pete Davidson: The Rise of a Comedy Star
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| Pete Davidson |
Pete Davidson is one of the most popular and controversial comedians of his generation. He is best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, where he became the youngest cast member ever at the age of 20 in 2014. He is also known for his stand-up specials, his roles in movies like The King of Staten Island and The Suicide Squad, and his high-profile relationships with celebrities like Ariana Grande and Kate Beckinsale.
But who is Pete Davidson, really? How did he become a comedy star? And what are the challenges and struggles he faces in his personal and professional life? In this article, we will explore the life and career of Pete Davidson, from his childhood tragedy to his current success.
Early life and family
in Staten Island, New York Pete Davidson was born on November 16, 1993, . He is the son of Amy (Waters) and Scott Matthew Davidson, who was a firefighter for the New York City Fire Department. Pete has a younger sister named Casey.
Pete’s father died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when Pete was only seven years old. His father was last seen running up the stairs of the Marriott World Trade Center, which collapsed after the Twin Towers fell. Pete was profoundly affected by the loss of his father, and later said that it was “overwhelming” and that he acted out in school as a result of the trauma. He also developed Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, when he was 17.
Pete’s father was of mostly Jewish ancestry, with some German, Irish, and Italian roots. His mother is of Irish descent. Pete was raised Catholic, but later said that he considers himself “Jewish-ish”. He attended several high schools in Staten Island and Brooklyn, and graduated from Xaverian High School in 2011. He briefly enrolled at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, but dropped out to pursue comedy.
Comedy career
Pete started doing stand-up comedy when he was 16 years old, after watching a live show of SNL cast member Bill Hader. He performed at various clubs and venues in New York City, and gained attention for his dark and edgy humor. He also appeared on several MTV shows, such as Guy Code, Wild 'n Out, and Failosophy.
In 2013, he made his television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he impressed Kimmel with his jokes about his father’s death. He also auditioned for SNL that year, but did not get the job. However, he caught the eye of SNL producer Lorne Michaels, who invited him to audition again the following year.
In 2014, Pete became the youngest cast member ever to join SNL at the age of 20. He quickly became a fan favorite for his hilarious impressions, sketches, and Weekend Update segments. Some of his most memorable characters include Chad, a clueless teenager who responds to everything with “OK”; Marco Rubio, a Republican presidential candidate who constantly drinks water; and himself, where he often jokes about his personal issues and opinions.
Pete has also branched out into other media projects, such as movies, podcasts, and music videos. He starred in and co-wrote the semi-autobiographical comedy-drama film The King of Staten Island (2020), which was directed by Judd Apatow and based on Pete’s own experiences of losing his father and dealing with mental health problems. He also had supporting roles in films like Trainwreck (2015), Set It Up (2018), Big Time Adolescence (2019), The Dirt (2019), The Suicide Squad (2021), Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), Meet Cute (2022), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), and Fast X (2023).
Pete has also released two stand-up specials: Pete Davidson: SMD (2016) and Pete Davidson: Alive from New York (2020). He also hosts a podcast called Bupkis with fellow comedian Ricky Velez. He has also appeared in music videos for artists like Machine Gun Kelly, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Lil Dicky, Justin Bieber, Kid Cudi, and John Mulaney.
Personal life and controversies
Pete has been open about his struggles with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. He has said that he uses marijuana to cope with his Crohn’s disease and BPD symptoms. He has also been in rehab several times for substance abuse problems.
Pete has also been involved in several high-profile relationships with celebrities. He dated comedian Carly Aquilino from 2014 to 2015; actress Cazzie David from 2016 to 2018; singer Ariana Grande from 2018 to 2019, to whom he was briefly engaged; actress Kate Beckinsale from 2019 to 2019; model Kaia Gerber from 2019 to 2020; and actress Phoebe Dynevor from 2021 to present.
Pete has also faced some controversies and criticisms for his comedy and comments. He has been accused of being insensitive, offensive, or inappropriate for joking about topics such as his father’s death, the Manchester bombing, Dan Crenshaw’s eye patch, R. Kelly, Louis C.K., and the Catholic Church. He has also been involved in feuds with celebrities such as Kanye West, Eminem, and Chrissy Teigen.
However, Pete has also received support and praise from many fans and peers for his honesty, courage, and talent. He has been hailed as one of the most influential and successful comedians of his generation. He has also been recognized for his advocacy and awareness-raising for mental health issues and 9/11 victims’ families.
Conclusion
Pete Davidson is a comedy star who has overcome many challenges and hardships in his life. He is known for his work on SNL, his stand-up specials, his movies, and his personal life. He is also known for his controversial and edgy humor, which has earned him both fans and critics. He is a complex and fascinating figure who continues to entertain and inspire millions of people around the world
