Born Pete Michael Davidson on November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York, his early life was irrevocably shaped by a profound tragedy. His father, Scott Davidson, a dedicated firefighter with Ladder 118 in Brooklyn, tragically lost his life while bravely responding to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Pete was only seven years old at the time, and this immense loss deeply traumatized him, manifesting in significant challenges during his school years. He described a period where he ripped out all his hair until he was bald, a tangible sign of the deep distress he experienced.
Following the 9/11 attacks, a group of psychologists meticulously monitored Davidson for several years to study the psychological effects of such a devastating event. Davidson candidly described himself as a “lab rat” in these experiments, offering a glimpse into the unique pressures he faced from a very young age. His childhood also included distressing experiences with suicidal thoughts, and he notably attempted suicide at the tender age of nine. In a testament to the unexpected sources of solace, Davidson credits the rapper Kid Cudi for having saved his life, expressing, “I would’ve killed myself if I didn’t have Kid Cudi.” He further articulated this profound impact, stating, “I truly believe if Man on the Moon didn’t come out, I wouldn’t be here.” This heartfelt acknowledgment underscores the deep connection between personal struggle and the power of art.
Davidson’s entry into the world of comedy began early, a daring endeavor born from a group of friends challenging him. At just 16, he performed his first stand-up set at a bowling alley in Staten Island, an audacious start that foreshadowed his unique comedic voice. After graduating from Xaverian High School in 2011, he briefly enrolled at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights before ultimately choosing to drop out, signaling his commitment to pursuing his burgeoning comedic aspirations with unwavering focus.
His professional trajectory began to accelerate in 2013, with appearances on various MTV series, including *Failosophy*, *Guy Code*, and a guest role in *Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’N Out*. The following year marked his televised stand-up debut on Comedy Central’s *Gotham Comedy Live*, paving the way for further gigs on popular late-night shows like *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* and *Comedy Underground with Dave Attell*. Though a pilot for a Fox comedy called *Sober Companion* in which he was cast, was not picked up, these early experiences were instrumental in honing his craft and preparing him for the monumental opportunity that lay ahead.
In 2014, after a guest-starring role on *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, Davidson secured a small but memorable part in the Amy Schumer–Bill Hader film comedy *Trainwreck* (2015). It was Hader’s keen eye and subsequent recommendation to *Saturday Night Live* producer Lorne Michaels that proved to be the pivotal moment in Davidson’s career. This led to an audition that, in turn, secured him a coveted role as a cast member on the iconic long-running sketch comedy series, which was embarking on its 40th season. At the remarkably young age of 20, Davidson became one of the show’s youngest cast members, bringing a fresh, relatable, and distinctly candid energy to the acclaimed program.
Throughout his impressive seven-season tenure on *Saturday Night Live*, Davidson garnered widespread acclaim for his distinctive comedic contributions. He crafted memorable characters, such as the easily distracted youth “Chad,” and consistently delivered in popular pretaped segments, including a notable rap video alongside Gunna, Chris Redd, and Simon Rex. However, he became particularly renowned for his appearances on the show’s regular “Weekend Update” segment, where, appearing as himself, he delivered insightful and often self-deprecating commentary on his personal life and current events. His unique blend of humor and vulnerability resonated deeply with audiences, cementing his status as a breakout star.
His burgeoning influence was further recognized in 2016 when he was included on the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list, a testament to his rapid ascent and significant impact in both sketch and stand-up comedy. Davidson also frequently collaborated and performed with his close friend and fellow comedian John Mulaney, a former *SNL* writer, further showcasing his collaborative spirit. While his humor was often sharp and boundary-pushing, it occasionally led to public discourse. In November 2018, he faced criticism for mocking Texas congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw, who had lost an eye while serving in Afghanistan. Davidson promptly offered an apology to Crenshaw on the show the following week, later revealing he had received death threats due to the jokes, highlighting the volatile nature of public commentary. After seven transformative seasons, Davidson departed from *Saturday Night Live* in 2022, reflecting on the profound impact the show had on his life. He openly stated that starring on the show “really changed my life,” and in a candid Instagram post about his departure, he articulated his initial apprehension: “When I got the show, I was 20 years old, and I had no idea what I was doing. I still don’t but especially back then. I wasn’t really a sketch performer I was just a stand-up. I knew I could never keep up or go toe-to-toe with a Kenan Thompson or a Kate McKinnon, so I was super scared at figuring out what I could possibly bring to or do for such a historic, respected show and platform.” This reflection showcases his genuine humility and continuous journey of self-discovery.
Davidson’s undeniable fame and success on *Saturday Night Live* served as a springboard for an array of significant roles in movies, television series, and stand-up comedy specials. His sharp wit drew considerable attention during a comedy roast of pop superstar Justin Bieber, where Davidson, with his characteristic boldness, shocked the audience with jokes about his own father’s death during 9/11, demonstrating his unique ability to transform personal pain into impactful humor. His first stand-up special, *Pete Davidson: SMD*, was released on Comedy Central in 2016, offering a deeper dive into his personal comedic style.
After a supporting role in the 2018 romantic comedy *Set It Up*, Davidson experienced a prolific year in 2019, appearing in five films, including *What Men Want*, *The Dirt*, and *The Jesus Rolls*. He also lent his voice to Jerry the Eagle in the animated film *The Angry Birds 2* and both starred in and executive produced *Big Time Adolescence*, a coming-of-age film where he portrayed a college dropout befriending a young teenager, showcasing his versatile acting range. The following year, his Netflix special, *Pete Davidson: Alive in New York*, saw him further discuss his past *Saturday Night Live* controversy with Dan Crenshaw, alongside his experiences with comedian Louis C.K., whom Davidson stated tried to get him fired from *SNL* for smoking marijuana. These specials cemented his status as a compelling and forthright stand-up performer.
A significant milestone in his career came in 2020 with *The King of Staten Island*, a comedy that Davidson not only starred in but also co-wrote and executive produced. The film is loosely based on his real life, offering a semi-autobiographical narrative of a high school dropout living with his mother and sister in Staten Island, harboring dreams of becoming a tattoo artist who regularly practices on his friends. Central to the film’s emotional core is Davidson’s character’s struggle with memories of his firefighter father’s death, directly inspired by the comedian’s own childhood trauma. Filmmaker Judd Apatow, who co-wrote and produced the film, highlighted the deep collaboration, noting that he and fellow writer Dave Sirius spent extensive time conversing with Davidson and his friends about “all the history and the emotions” derived from the comedian’s actual experiences. This project stands as a powerful testament to his ability to channel profound personal narratives into impactful art.
Davidson has continued to expand his cinematic presence throughout the 2020s, demonstrating a remarkable versatility across genres. In 2021, he held a brief but crucial role as Blackguard, a mercenary, in the DC Comics film *The Suicide Squad*. The following year, he appeared in the horror comedy film *Bodies Bodies Bodies*, starred alongside Kaley Cuoco in the romantic comedy *Meet Cute*, and provided the voice for the titular dog in the animated comedy film *Marmaduke*. His most recent significant endeavor is the television series *Bupkis*, which debuted on the Peacock streaming service in May 2023. Co-written and starring Davidson, the series is, much like *The King of Staten Island*, partially autobiographical, with Davidson portraying a fictionalized version of himself navigating his comedy career and the inherent challenges of fame. The series is further elevated by the co-starring performances of Edie Falco as his mother and Joe Pesci as his grandfather, adding depth and relatability to the narrative. His continuous engagement in diverse projects showcases a vibrant artistic curiosity and an enduring commitment to storytelling.
One of the most admirable aspects of Pete Davidson’s public persona is his profound openness regarding his health conditions and ongoing mental health journey. At age 17 or 18, he received a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, for which he receives intravenous biologic therapy. He has also openly shared his use of medical marijuana for pain management, as well as recreationally, a detail that found its way into his semi-autobiographical film, *The King of Staten Island*, where his character also grapples with Crohn’s disease.
A pivotal moment in his mental health journey occurred on March 6, 2017, when he announced on Instagram that he had quit drugs, declaring himself sober for the first time in eight years. However, he later clarified on comedian Marc Maron’s podcast that the primary drug he used was marijuana. Crucially, he revealed that the personal and emotional problems he initially attributed to daily marijuana use were, in fact, symptoms of a newly diagnosed borderline personality disorder, for which he has since been undergoing comprehensive treatment. He candidly shared that his depression was caused by this disorder, stating that he was “depressed all the time.” His decision to seek therapy and medication after this diagnosis highlights a profound commitment to his well-being.
Davidson has been remarkably transparent about the intensity of his struggles, including profound suicidal thoughts. In 2018, he concerned fans with a candid Instagram post expressing thoughts of suicide, stating, “I’m doing my best to stay here for you but I actually don’t know how much longer I can last,” before deleting his account. This prompted the New York Police Department to conduct a wellness check, instigated by worried social media followers and his former fiancée, Ariana Grande. Despite being at the *Saturday Night Live* studio preparing for the year’s last episode, he later, alongside John Mulaney, humorously referenced the post on “Weekend Update,” showcasing his unique coping mechanism of turning personal pain into shared humor. In a 2020 interview with “CBS Sunday Morning,” he confirmed experiencing extreme suicidal thoughts and getting “close” to acting on them. He has also shared that he had been “in and out of mental health facilities” since he was nine years old. Despite the profound challenges, Davidson attributes his progress to the right doctors and medication, asserting that “The last few years have been real rough with me. I took all these mental health classes and really spent a lot of time getting me good.” His ongoing journey includes regular “tune-ups” at rehab facilities to manage PTSD and borderline personality disorder, an insider noting, “Anyone who knows Pete knows that he will always step up and get help when he knows he needs it.” This unwavering commitment to his mental health serves as an inspiring testament to his resilience and advocacy.
Davidson’s romantic life has consistently drawn immense attention from entertainment journalists and gossip publications, often placing him at the center of high-profile narratives. His dating history includes notable figures such as comedian Carly Aquilino (2014-2015) and actress Cazzie David (2016-2018), setting the stage for even more public relationships that would capture global interest.
In May 2018, his relationship with pop superstar Ariana Grande began, following her breakup with Mac Miller, quickly becoming a whirlwind romance that captivated the public. By June 2018, Davidson confirmed their engagement, a decision he reportedly made by telling Grande he wanted to “marry you tomorrow” the day they met. This high-profile engagement brought a significant amount of unwanted attention, prompting Davidson to delete his Instagram feed to “tune out the ‘negative energy.'” The romance, however, ended almost as quickly as it began, with the couple calling off their engagement in October 2018, shortly after Mac Miller’s death. Grande’s subsequent song “Pete Davidson” appeared on her 2018 album *Sweetener*, and she famously referenced him in her hit “Thank U, Next” with the lyric, “Even almost got married / And for Pete I’m so thankful.”
Following the Grande relationship, Davidson was reported to be in a relationship with actress Kate Beckinsale in January 2019, a relationship that drew media comments due to their twenty-year age difference. While they made public appearances, they “called time on their romance” by April of that year. Davidson, addressing the media’s focus on the age gap, humorously suggested they direct such questions to older men in longer relationships with younger women, citing figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Alec Baldwin, Larry King, and Donald Trump. This response showcased his characteristic wit and ability to deflect intrusive questions with a dose of humor.
His romantic journey continued with actress Margaret Qualley, daughter of Andie MacDowell, until their relationship concluded in October 2019. He was then involved with model Kaia Gerber from October 2019 to January 2020. In August 2021, he split from *Bridgerton* actress Phoebe Dynevor, daughter of actress Sally Dynevor, after a five-month relationship, further highlighting the transient nature of public romances under intense scrutiny. His most widely scrutinized relationship began in October 2021 when he was first spotted with Kim Kardashian, following her appearance on *Saturday Night Live*, where they shared an on-screen kiss in a Disney-themed sketch as Jasmine and Aladdin. They officially began dating in November 2021, while Kardashian was still finalizing her divorce from Kanye West.
The relationship with Kardashian drew the intense ire of Kanye West, who frequently insulted Davidson publicly. West attacked Davidson on Instagram in February 2022, calling him “Hillary Clinton’s ex-boyfriend.” Despite the highly public and often hostile nature of this dynamic, Davidson and Kardashian split in August 2022 after nine months of dating, reportedly due to busy work schedules and frequent long distances. This period truly underscored the unique pressures and sometimes aggressive public battles that can accompany high-profile relationships. Following this, Davidson dated actress Chase Sui Wonders from December 2022 to August 2023, having met on the set of *Bodies Bodies Bodies* and later co-starring in his streaming series *Bupkis*. He then dated actress Madelyn Cline from September 2023 to July 2024. Most recently, in March 2025, Davidson began a relationship with model and actress Elsie Hewitt. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Blossom Ball in May and later moved in together, dividing time between residences in Brooklyn and upstate New York. On July 16, 2025, Hewitt announced via Instagram that they were expecting their first child, marking a new, joyous chapter in his personal life.
Beyond his comedic and romantic endeavors, Davidson’s life has also included unique, attention-grabbing footnotes. In March 2022, the spaceflight company Blue Origin announced he would be an “honorary guest” alongside five paying customers onboard NS-20, a suborbital flight of its New Shepard craft planned for later that month. However, the flight was rescheduled, and Blue Origin subsequently announced that Davidson was “no longer able” to join the crew, adding another unexpected turn to his public narrative.
His personal journey also encompasses his iconic tattoos, which have evolved over time to reflect his personal growth and experiences. At one time, Davidson had many tattoos, but by 2025, he had about 200 removed, with the intention to keep only two or three, as he was “trying to clean slate it, trying to be an adult.” Among his more famous tattoos was a drawing of Hillary Clinton on his leg, whom he proudly called his “hero” and “one of the strongest people in the universe.” Clinton herself famously thanked Davidson for the compliment, joking: “This makes it significantly less awkward that I’ve had a Pete Davidson tattoo for years.” After beginning his relationship with Ariana Grande, he had an image of a black bunny mask tattooed behind his ear, a clear homage to the cover of her *Dangerous Woman* album. After their split, this tattoo was replaced with a black heart. Notably, Davidson and singer Miley Cyrus also share matching “WE BABIES” tattoos, a reference to a *Saturday Night Live* skit in which they both appeared. These evolving body art choices provide a visual chronicle of his journey and personal reflections.
In March 2023, Davidson was involved in a car crash incident, driving late at night and crashing his car into a house. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash. He was later charged with a misdemeanor for “reckless driving,” for which he agreed to complete 50 hours of community service and attend 12 hours of traffic school as part of a diversion program. This incident, while a mishap, was handled transparently, further adding to the public record of his life’s trajectory.
Pete Davidson has truly emerged as a comedic force with heart, skillfully navigating a life often characterized by intense public scrutiny and personal challenges. His journey, from the profound loss of his father and early struggles with mental health to his ascent as one of *Saturday Night Live’s* youngest and most impactful cast members, exemplifies a remarkable capacity for resilience. He has masterfully transformed his personal narrative, including diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and borderline personality disorder, into a platform for advocacy and genuine connection, inspiring countless individuals to confront their own struggles with courage and openness.
His prolific career in stand-up, film, and television, particularly through semi-autobiographical works like *The King of Staten Island* and *Bupkis*, demonstrates an artistic commitment to authenticity. Davidson’s willingness to lay bare the complexities of his high-profile relationships and personal growth, even under the most intense media glare, has redefined the parameters of celebrity. In a world eager to categorize and simplify, Pete Davidson stands as a testament to the power of self-acceptance, the transformative potential of humor, and the profound impact of speaking one’s truth, leaving an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the broader conversation surrounding mental well-being.
