Pete Davidson‘s connection with Eddie Murphy has had a profound effect on his life, serving as both inspiration and comfort during personal hardships. The Pete Davidson Eddie Murphy connection began long before they worked together, tracing back to Davidson’s childhood, particularly after the tragic loss of his father in the September 11 attacks in New York City.
Finding Laughter After Tragedy
In the Netflix documentary “Being Eddie,” Pete Davidson shares how Eddie Murphy’s comedy became a lifeline for him in the aftermath of his father’s death. At just eight years old, Davidson was struggling with immense grief when he and his mother went shopping at a local mall store selling DVDs and CDs. He was immediately drawn to the bold cover of Murphy’s 1983 stand-up special, “Delirious,” showing the star in a red leather suit.
My mom took me to the store in the mall that had DVDs and CDs, and Eddie Murphy Delirious was there, and I was like, ‘What’s this? He looks really cool, and this could be fun,
— Pete Davidson, recalling his childhood encounter with the iconic DVD.
Davidson was already a fan of Murphy’s performances in more kid-friendly films like “Shrek” and “Dr. Doolittle,” but his first experience watching “Delirious” in the backseat on the drive home took him by surprise. The content was much more adult than he was accustomed to, leading to a shocked reaction from his mother.
Immediately, you know, ‘F— this, suck this, f— you,’ and my mom’s like, ‘Whoa, what, what’d you get?
— Pete Davidson, regarding his mother’s surprise.
I was dying laughing, and she was like, ‘You can’t watch this or any of that.’
— Pete Davidson, about his mother’s initial reaction.
Despite her concern about the mature content, Davidson pleaded with his mother to let him keep watching. His joy in those moments, rare during that dark period, made an impression on her, leading to an agreement between the two.
I was like, ‘Please!’ I’m laughing, and I think she saw I was enjoying myself and at a time where I really wasn’t,
— Pete Davidson, describing how he convinced his mother.
They made a pact: Davidson could watch Murphy’s comedy as long as he promised not to repeat the jokes or tell anyone else. This compromise became a treasured bond and helped Davidson rediscover happiness during a painful time.
Parallels in Comedy Careers
A decade after finding solace in Murphy’s work, Pete Davidson followed his comedic idol’s path by joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live” at age 20, a year older than Murphy was when he started on the show in 1980. The Pete Davidson Eddie Murphy connection deepened in 2019, when Davidson was at SNL during Murphy’s highly anticipated return after more than three decades away from the show.
In 2020, Davidson honored Murphy by opening his own stand-up special,
“Pete Davidson: Alive From New York,”
with Murphy’s song “Party All the Time.” Their mutual respect became apparent both on and off the stage.
Shared Grief and Lasting Friendship
This year, the connection grew even closer when Davidson starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the heist comedy “The Pickup.” While working together, Davidson and Murphy realized they both lost their fathers as children—Murphy’s father was killed in a crime of passion in 1969. This shared trauma created a fast friendship and deepened their understanding of one another.
We got along real fast, and we both have a lot in common,
— Pete Davidson, discussing his experience with Murphy.
We were always the young guy amongst a bunch of older dudes. We got along really, really, really well.
— Pete Davidson, reflecting on their bond during filming.
Murphy echoed these sentiments, highlighting their instant camaraderie on set.
We hit it off famously, and it was really great working with him,
— Eddie Murphy, commenting on their working relationship.
I’d love to work with him again.
— Eddie Murphy, expressing enthusiasm about future collaborations.
The Continuation of a Meaningful Connection
The evolving friendship between Pete Davidson and Eddie Murphy demonstrates how comedy can bridge generational gaps and help people overcome adversity. The Pete Davidson Eddie Murphy connection, which began as a childhood admiration, has blossomed into an authentic friendship rooted in shared experiences, mutual respect, and a powerful sense of healing through laughter. As Davidson and Murphy continue to work in entertainment—including their latest project “The Pickup”—their unique bond serves as an example of the lasting impact comedic inspiration can have during even the most difficult times.
