Pete Davidson is Destined to Be the Next Big ‘SNL’ Breakout

The young Saturday Night Live cast member has landed his first lead role, in an indie drama.

Pete Davidson is ready for the big time. Best known as the current youngest cast member of Saturday Night Live, the comedic actor has landed his first leading role in the indie coming-of-age film Big Time Adolescence. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cast will also include Machine Gun Kelly, Sydney Sweeney, Griffin Gluck, and (fresh off of The Mick) Thomas Barbusca.

Production begins next month on the drama, which follows a 16-year-old virgin with a growth hormone deficiency who slowly gets corrupted by his hero, an aimless college dropout played by Davidson. Big Time Adolescence marks the directorial and feature screenplay debut of Jason Orley, a former TV producer’s assistant who is so far best known for acting in a minor role in The Intern. 

Davidson’s own notoriety has expanded in the past month for his relationship and quick engagement to the much more famous pop singer and actress Ariana Grande. The duo has been inseparable ever since the rumors of them being an item were confirmed. Now, with Grande by his side and his recent declaration of sobriety, Davidson seems unstoppable with his ever-growing career and popularity.

After a stint doing stand-up on MTV, Davidson landed the coveted Saturday Night Live gig in 2014 at the age of 20 as the first cast member to be born in the ’90s. His opportunity to audition for the sketch comedy show was thanks to Bill Hader whom he met on the set of Trainwreck. Soon he began making appearances on SNL‘s Weekend Update, where he continues to shine doing bits on personal topics ranging from his reception in his hometown of Staten Island to his own mental health.

His big break on the show came with the following sketch where his crotch ends up nuzzled by Dwayne Johnson:

Besides SNL, Davidson’s comedy can be found on the Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber and his first major stand-up special Pete Davidson: SMD, also on Comedy Central.

Although SNL skeptics and others may be wary of Davidson’s ability to take on a serious indie film role, fear not, as Davidson has had his fair share of loss and struggle. His comedy special is named for his father, Scott Matthew Davidson, a New York City firefighter who died in service during 9/11. Davidson takes time to reflect on losing his father at the age of seven in his routine, making jokes about it but also admitting he suffered from an overwhelming trauma from the loss as a child.

While Davidson jokes about sensitive subjects like 9/11, his struggle with bipolar disorder, and his use of marijuana, audiences cannot get enough of his comedic style. He is truly a unique cast member of SNL and a comedic force to be reckoned with.

Davidson can also be found in the new Netflix movie Set It Up, a rom-com about two corporate executive assistants match making their bosses. Next up, he’ll co-star in John Turturro’s Big Lebowski spinoff (which is also a remake of a ’70s French erotic comedy), Going Places.

Between in escalating roles in movies, his loving relationship with Grande, and his upcoming return for another season of SNL, Davidson’s rise to fame can only be described as well-deserved. His growth as a comedic actor is apparent. Hopefully, through a more serious role in Big Time Adolescence, Davidson will also be recognized as the talented actor he is and not just the guy who sucked venom out of The Rock’s butt.

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