Pete Davidson has left the building — rather, the SNL studios.
On Friday (May 20), it was reported that Pete will be leaving Saturday Night at the conclusion of the current season. The season finale of SNL aired the following day and it was indeed Pete’s final episode as a repertory player on the iconic comedy show.
Just hours away from the SNL season finale on Saturday (May 21), Pete confirmed his departure from the show with an emotional message. He took to SNL Dave Sirus’ Instagram to share a video of comic Jerry Carmichael giving him a big hug after his SNL debut in 2014. Pete’s heartfelt words accompanied the video:
“This video was taken 8 years ago. Jerrod sent it to me last night and it made me super emotional in the best way. In the video I had just gotten back from doing my very first update and sketch. It’s crazy to think that today I’ll be doing my last one. 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. I figured since I’m a stand up I’ll just try my stand up and personal bits on Weekend Update as myself and I’m so glad I did.
I got to share so much with this audience and literally grow up in front of your eyes. We were together through the good and the bad, the happiest and the darkest of times.”
Pete ended his message by thanking SNL creator Lorne Michaels and everyone he was worked with on SNL:
“I owe Lorne Michaels and everyone at SNL my life. Im so grateful and I wouldn’t be here without them. I appreciate you guys always having my back and sticking up for me even when that wasn’t the popular opinion.
Thank you for always believing in me and sticking by my side even when it seemed comical. Thank you for teaching me life values, how to grow up and for giving me memories that will last a lifetime. SNL is my home. I’m so happy and sad about tonight’s show. For so many reasons I can’t explain. Can’t wait to be back next year in a [John] Mulaney musical number. ⁃ Resident young person Pete Davidson.”
Pete joined the cast at the young age of 20 back in 2014. He became one of the show’s youngest cast members in history. He exited the series after eight seasons.
In his final appearance on Saturday Night Live during the “Weekend Update” segment with Colin Jost and Michael Che, Pete made a few quick jokes about the Oscars slap, Kanye West, and his ex-fiancee Ariana Grande.
Along with Pete, three other cast members likewise exited the longstanding series: Kate McKinnon after 11 seasons, Aidy Bryant after 10 seasons, and Kyle Mooney after 9 seasons.
