Pete Davidson wants his reputation to rest on his work—but not too much of it.
The comedian and actor, best known for his time on Saturday Night Live, recently spoke with W Magazine about the challenges of staying relevant in Hollywood without becoming overexposed. Reflecting on his career, Davidson admitted he’s learned that success often means knowing when to step back.
“There’s a line in The Sopranos where Tony says, ‘You ever feel like you got into something at the end, when the good times were over?’ That’s how I feel about show business and being a celebrity. It’s over,” Davidson shared.
Early in his career, Davidson found it hard to turn down opportunities. “When you’re starting out, you’re hungry, and you say yes to everything. I made the mistake of doing too much,” he explained. “Now, I realize less is more. Look at Christian Bale—he’ll do one movie every two or three years, but you’ll definitely see it. Leonardo DiCaprio does one movie every four years, and it’s huge. It’s because people miss them. That’s the trick. People need to miss you.”
Davidson has built an impressive resume over the years. After eight seasons on SNL (he left in 2022), he starred in films like Bodies Bodies Bodies and the semi-autobiographical The King of Staten Island. But he’s also been the subject of intense media scrutiny, particularly around his high-profile relationships with stars like Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, and Madelyn Cline.
“I want to be known for doing good work,” Davidson said. “I want people to see me when it’s about a movie, stand-up, charity, or a business venture. That’s it. I don’t want to be the guy who’s only known for dating people. That’s not who I am. But people hate celebrities now.”
Davidson believes the media plays a role in shaping public perception. “Every few years, the media picks a few celebrities to tear apart. For some reason, I’ve been one of them. But in a strange way, it’s been a blessing. It forced me to take a step back and think about what I really want. Who am I? I’m just a guy from Staten Island who wanted to do stand-up. Everything else has been a bonus.”
Now starring in Bupkis, Davidson says he’s found peace with his career and personal life. “I’m in a good place mentally,” he said. Looking back, he feels grateful for the wake-up call he described as being “hit on the face with the Hollywood shovel.”
By focusing on quality over quantity, Davidson hopes to redefine how people see him—on his terms.
