Pete Davidson has stepped into his darkest role yet, swapping his trademark comedic stylings for a menacing transformation as mobster Tommy Pitera in the upcoming film “Tommy Karate.” We got a first look at the actor’s performance, which showed a dramatic departure from his Saturday Night Live days.
Pete Davidson embraces a major career change as he takes on the role of convicted mobster Tommy Pitera in “Tommy Karate.” Image Credit (Instagram)
In the black-and-white shot, Davidson appears completely transformed, swapping his familiar smile for a dark smolder as he stares off camera in profile view. She is apparently wearing a wig with her hair brushed back and wearing a dark dress in the striking image. The film’s director, Justin Chon, shared the image on Instagram, joking about Davidson’s evolution from comedy. “Petey’s all grown up now,” Chon wrote. “Here’s Pete Davidson as mobster Tommy Karate. It was a long journey to get here, but I was excited for everyone to see how talented he is.”
The brutal legacy of Tommy Pitera com Bonnano crime family member
According to Deadline, in the film, the King of Staten Island actor will play Pitera, a member of the Bonnano crime family who earned the nickname “Tommy Karate” for his use of martial arts in combat. Prosecutors in New York called him a “ruthless killer,” with reports alleging that he dismembered the bodies and buried them on Staten Island. Pitera, now 71, denied any involvement in the crimes but was eventually convicted of murdering six people and overseeing a drug operation, and received a life sentence after his 1992 trial.
Pete Davidson’s three-year journey bringing ‘Tommy Karate’ to the screen
Davidson is a producer and co-writer of the film, roles to which he has been committed for more than three years. In a statement shared with the outlet in March, he expressed his passion for the project. “Tommy Karate is the greatest mob story ever told. I’ve been working on this for over three years and I’m beyond excited that it’s finally in motion.”
Pete Davidson’s transition from stand-up comedy to serious dramatic roles
Davidson, while excited about the mobster role, has in the past admitted the difficulty of transitioning from his comedic background to dramatic acting. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight last July, he reflected on the change. “Acting is so embarrassing. It’s because I’m a stand-up, so, it’s so ridiculous. For me to get there and be like, ‘Ohhh!’ I can only do it two or three times before I start laughing.”The casting reveals Davidson’s dedication to furthering his abilities as a performer, showing that he is willing to step far beyond the world of sketch comedy that propelled him to fame.