One of the youngest SNL cast members ever, Pete Davidson [1] immediately charms on screen, not only because of his supposed BDE (Big D*ck Energy) [2], but also because of his goofy appeal [3]. And being so goofy, it's natural that he's prone to breaking character with a giggle here and there. Just like his predecessor Jimmy Fallon [4] (and, occasionally, Bill Hader as Stefon [5]), Davidson will often be caught laughing on camera. Honestly, we feel for him because it must be hard when Kenan Thompson dresses up as a lobster or Adam Driver sputters like a Bond villain in old man makeup. Ahead, we've gathered the hilarious moments where Davidson totally broke character and made us laugh along with him.
Bodega Bathroom (2019)
A wink at "Lobster Diner," Davidson plays a customer who asks to use the bathroom at an NYC bodega [6], and out comes John Mulaney, cockroaches, and Oompa Loompas in a musical number. Of course Davidson is chortling.
Earthquake News Report (2019)
Here, Rachel Brosnahan plays a doctor who updates a news team by listing out the names of victims who were just about to get their names changed before an earthquake. Davidson, portraying a fireman at the scene, pretty much loses his sh*t when she gets to Ty Neadik.
Diner Lobster (2018)
"Lobster Diner" will forever be an iconic SNL sketch [7]. I mean, who wouldn't laugh at Kenan Thompson in a colonial lobster suit singing a musical number?
Career Day (2018)
Well, Kylo Ren can take a seat, because Adam Driver [8]'s hilarious performance as Abraham H. Parnassus deserves an Oscar. Driver basically plays Davidson's father, an older oil man with cartoon villain sensibilities who comes in for career day. Driver's devotion to the performance definitely had Davidson contorting his mouth trying to hide his laughter.
Weekend Update: Pete Davidson Apologises to Lt. Com. Dan Crenshaw (2018)
Can Davidson break character if he's himself on Weekend Update? Well, he can certainly laugh more than you'd expect (which he often does on this segment). After Davidson made controversial statements about Lt. Com. Dan Crenshaw, SNL brought the veteran onto the show so that the comedian could formally apologise to him. During the bit, Crenshaw's phone goes off . . . and his ringtone is "Breathin'" by Ariana Grande [9], Davidson's ex. Crenshaw asks if he knows her . . . and cue the awkward giggles.
Teacher Fell Down (2018)
It's probably hard to keep a straight face around Kate McKinnon, a comedy queen notorious for her ridiculous characters. Here, she plays an existential dread-cursed teacher who falls onto the ground, and her commitment to the role definitely had Davidson giggling throughout the sketch.
Football Party (2017)
Leslie Jones plays Dave Chappelle's mother who still . . . breastfeeds him. Davidson loses it when the SNL host emerges from Jones's nursing cover with milk splattered all over his face.
Posters (2017)
Davidson, with his signature youthful charm, is a college student whose posters come to life. It only takes one line from fellow castmate Kenan Thompson (a stand-up comic poster) — "Man, everybody uses maths" — to get Davidson in stitches.
Late For Class (2017)
Luke Null steals the scene in this bit as a student who shows up late for class and acts obnoxiously towards everyone. Davidson is a background character here but you can definitely see him trying to hide his laughter as Thompson and Null duke it out.
Spelling Bee (2017)
Davidson plays a student contestant at a spelling bee, and he totally laughs when he's asked to spell "little pig boy."
Drive-Thru Window (2017)
Davidson becomes a Burger King employee working at a drive-thru as pretentious art patrons ask for random orders, so naturally, hilarity and breaking ensue. Just look at him chortling when Thompson pulls up in a very posh and artsy costume.
100 Days in the Jungle (2016)
SNL takes us into a Survivor [10]-type of competition. Davidson plays one of the contestants and is unexpectedly visited by an eccentric distant uncle portrayed by Russell Crowe [11]. Davidson's character is inherently derpy and goofy, but we're sure that Crowe's bonkers character has something to do with him smiling!
Auditions — SNL 40th Anniversary Special (2015)
For SNL's 40th anniversary special [12], Davidson and Jones introduce a collection of SNL auditions over the years. Just before they cut to a montage, Jones said that her audition was hilarious and that "Lorne [Michaels] was laughing his ass off." You can bet that this prompted at least a stifled smile from Davidson!
The L.A. Scene (2015)
Davidson plays a dashing young guest on Reese Witherspoon [13] and Cecily Strong's talk show. He doesn't outright laugh, but you can see him smiling knowingly as the ladies shower him with affection.
The Jungle (2015)
Right off the bat, Davidson has a dazed, goofy smile on his face when Kate McKinnon's character makes moves on The Rock, who's an Indiana Jones [14]-esque archaeologist that she has the hots for.