Pete Davidson is reflecting on his early days in show business, admitting that revisiting his Saturday Night Live (SNL) audition left him feeling deeply emotional.
The 31-year-old comedian, who joined SNL in 2014 as one of the youngest cast members in the show’s history,
recently spoke with People magazine about how unaware he was of the challenges that lay ahead in his career.
“The Innocence in My Eyes Made Me So Sad”
Looking back on his audition tape, Davidson couldn’t help but feel nostalgic—and a little heartbroken—over how unprepared he was for the realities of working in entertainment.
“The innocence in my eyes made me so sad,” he confessed. “Showbiz is so tough, and I didn’t know how tough it was.”
Davidson, who has been open about his struggles with mental health, admitted that the pressures of the entertainment industry only made things more difficult for him.
“I picked the wrong business to have a mental illness and go into,” he said. “I’m one of the most insecure and sad people ever, and I picked the most insecure, sad business to go into.”
Joining SNL at Just 20 Years Old
Davidson’s SNL journey was unique. When he was hired in 2014, he was only 20 years old, making him one of the youngest cast members the show had ever brought on. While many of his colleagues had spent years honing their craft in stand-up comedy or improv, Davidson was still relatively new to the scene.
The Dog Man star admitted that the age gap between him and the rest of the cast made it difficult for him to fit in.
“Everyone was 10-plus years older than me, and I had a hard time fitting in. No one was mean, but there was an age difference,” he explained.
Unlike many of his co-stars, who were settling down and starting families, Davidson was in a completely different phase of life.
“They were getting married and having kids, and I was like, ‘Do you guys want to come over to play video games?!’”
Finding Solace in Lorne Michaels
Because of the generational gap between himself and his castmates, Davidson found comfort in an unlikely friendship—with SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
“So I hung out with Lorne,” he joked.
Michaels, who has been the driving force behind SNL since its inception in 1975, has mentored many comedic talents over the years. While Davidson never explicitly detailed what their friendship entailed, it’s clear that he leaned on the legendary producer during his time on the show.
Davidson’s Evolving Career Post-SNL
After eight years on SNL, Davidson departed the show in 2022 to focus on his burgeoning career in film and television. He has since starred in projects like The King of Staten Island, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. In addition to acting, he has continued his stand-up comedy career and even launched his own semi-autobiographical series, Bupkis, on Peacock.
Despite his ups and downs in Hollywood, Davidson remains one of the most recognizable and talked-about comedians of his generation. His candidness about mental health, combined with his self-deprecating humor, has made him a relatable figure to many.
A Bittersweet Reflection
Rewatching his SNL audition reminded Davidson of a time when he was full of hope, but unaware of the challenges he would face. While his journey in show business has been anything but easy, he has managed to carve out a successful career despite the struggles.
His latest reflections offer a glimpse into the emotional toll of fame, but they also highlight his resilience. Though the business may be tough, Davidson has continued to push forward, proving that even in an industry filled with insecurity, there is still room for authenticity.
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