What Happened to Pete Davidson and Thomas 'Tommy Karate' Pitera?

Pete Davidson, known for his distinctive comedic style and roles in 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The King of Staten Island,' has recently embarked on a significant and dramatic career shift by taking on the lead role in the film 'Tommy Karate.' This project sees Davidson portraying Thomas Pitera, a real-life Bonanno crime family hitman notorious for his martial arts skills and extreme violence, who earned the chilling nickname 'Tommy Karate'. Davidson has expressed that this role is a 'dream job' he had been developing for over three years, signaling a deliberate move towards more character-driven, serious acting. Filming for 'Tommy Karate' commenced in June 2026, with Davidson seen on set in Brooklyn in August 2026, sporting a dramatically altered appearance with long dark hair and bright blue contact lenses to embody Pitera. The film, directed by Justin Chon and co-written by Davidson, is based on Philip Carlo's true-crime book 'The Butcher: Anatomy Of A Mafia Psychopath' and is anticipated for a 2027 release.

Thomas Pitera, born in 1954, was a feared figure in the American Mafia, known for his proficiency in martial arts, which he studied extensively in Japan. He was suspected of as many as 60 murders and gained a reputation for dismembering his victims, often burying them in a Staten Island wildlife refuge. Convicted in 1992 of six murders and racketeering, Pitera was sentenced to life imprisonment, where he remains incarcerated. His brutal methods and disciplined approach to killing made him a unique and terrifying figure within organized crime.

Davidson's journey to this dramatic role has been multifaceted. In December 2025, he welcomed a daughter, Scottie Rose, with model Elsie Hewitt, though the couple separated in May 2026, reaching a co-parenting agreement by July 2026. Amidst a relentless touring schedule and the pressures of his public personal life, Davidson faced a significant mental health emergency in late June 2026, leading him to check into a specialized wellness facility. He has since adopted a structured recovery plan, including a digital detox and intensive trauma therapy, and postponed his summer comedy tour dates.

Beyond 'Tommy Karate,' Davidson has maintained a busy professional schedule in 2026. He launched 'The Pete Davidson Show,' an original video podcast on Netflix, in early 2026, offering candid conversations with celebrity guests. He also appeared in the Amazon MGM film 'The Pickup' in August 2026 and has several other films slated for release, including 'How to Rob a Bank' (September/November 2026) and 'Wizards!'. Furthermore, Davidson has been actively involved in the eco-friendly sock company Doublesoul as an investor and creative director since December 2024, a venture that saw the launch of a baby line in April 2026. He has openly discussed his desire to reduce his presence in TV and film, citing the mental exhaustion of constant public scrutiny. In August 2026, Davidson partnered with the nonprofit 9/11 Day for the 'UNIITE For Good' campaign, honoring his father, a firefighter who died on 9/11, by encouraging acts of service and unity. Davidson also completed a multi-year, $200,000 process to remove his extensive tattoos by April 2026, aiming to simplify his acting roles.