We’ve finally found out Pete Davidson SNL salary, and many fans are left in shock over the small amount. The New York-born actor and comedian revealed it himself via an Instagram video that emerged on Wednesday, November 4, 2024. How small do you think it was? The 31-year-old also disclosed how he spent the first paycheck.
Pete Davidson, whose full name is Peter Michael Davidson, became a household name due to his hilarious display on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The comedian joined the show in 2014 and rose to become one of the most crucial cast members till he hung his boots in 2022. Recently, he sat down with his fellow SNL alums to go down memory lane.
In the video that New York Magazine posted, Davidson revealed his salary in response to a question about his “biggest indulgence” while on the show. “Do you guys know what they pay us? It’s like three grand an episode, so I think I got dinner!” he stated.
Davidson earning $3,000 for an episode would mean his pay wasn’t as huge as many expected. At the end of the year, he took home anywhere from $54,000 to $66,000 for participating in 18 to 22 episodes of the show. Other alums also had fun revealing how they spent their first pay from the show.
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Other SNL Cast Members Also Shared their First Salary Purchases
Jason Sudeikis, who appeared on the show for nine years after two years as a writer, also waded in. He revealed that his pay could only foot the bill for essential needs. “You don’t really make enough money to make big purchases,” he stated. “New York rent was probably the biggest purchase I made after writing on SNL the first year,” he disclosed.
In his response to the same question, current SNL star James Austin Johnson said he paid for “the most uncomfortable West Elm couch of all time” with his first SNL pay. “I swear to God, It’s, like, made of bricks,” he added. Other couch buyers were Seth Meyers, who purchased “a really big couch,” and Cheri Oteri, whose couch was “reupholstered three or four times.”
It wasn’t all gloomy for other cast members like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, one of the oldest SNL cast members. The comedian, who appeared on the show from 1982 to 1985, said she was pleased with the pair of shoes she bought. “Bought a pair of shoes that were out of budget,” she stated. The shoes cost $75.
After receiving her first paycheck, Sarah Silverman dashed to a clothing store. There, she fell in love with a $300 cashmere sweater. For Sarah Sherman, “a nice mattress” followed her home. Lastly, Bowen Yang, who also played a role in the box office high-flyer “Wicked,” bought a pair of designer shoes.
Why Was Pete Davidson Canceled From SNL?
Pete Davidson joined SNL in 2014 when he was just 20. At the time, he was pretty unknown and was one of the show’s youngest cast members. He joined the show at season 40 and signed out in 2022 at season 47. By then, he had transformed into one of the most admired and sought-after comedians in the world.
Fans were thrown into excitement a year later when SNL announced that Davidson would be returning to the show. But this time, it was going to be his first time as host. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, as SNL canceled the show, which they planned to shoot in May 2023.
The cancellation was due to a strike action the Writer’s Guild of America embarked upon. The association represents most film and TV writers in the United States. They went on strike after negotiations broke down between them and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the nine largest studios.
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How Much Did Pete Davidson Get Paid?
Pete Davidson SNL salary was $3,000 from the time he joined the cast in 2014. It is still unknown if the current starting salary for cast members has remained the same or increased over the years. Also, it is unclear how much Pete Davidson’s SNL salary grew as he progressed on the show.
What we know, however, is that first-time cast members earn about $7,000 for each episode, which is more than two times what Davidson took home during his time. As Celebrity Net Worth reported, this pay amounts to $147,000 for a season with 21 episodes.
Although Davidson is no longer with the SNL family, his time on the show will remain memorable. The budding actor, who is the first of two children born to Amy and Scott Davidson, had an enviable dating history while on the show. The lineup of his past girlfriends includes Kim Kardashian, Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, and Ariana Grande.
Pete Davidson is now focused on his Hollywood career. He has appeared in top-rate and high-grossing movies such as “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and “The Suicide Squad.” He recently showed the result of his on-going tattoo removal journey when he stepped out on October 23, 2024 with his arms almost tattoo-free.
Davidson said he subscribed to laser tattoo removal to boost his suitability for more movie roles. Notably, the procedure involved more than ten visits and was spread over three years.
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