Pete Davidson always considers Eddie Murphy a reliable friend and mentor. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 31-year-old comedian and actor shared heartfelt words about Murphy, 64, describing him as someone he can lean on and who shares many parallels with him.
Davidson has been an Eddie Murphy fan since childhood. He recalls, “I've been a fan of Eddie Murphy since I was five, six, when my mom bought me Delirious from FYE,” sharing how a simple “mistake” by his mother sparked his love for stand-up comedy.
Both Davidson and Murphy have a history with Saturday Night Live (SNL), the show that launched their careers in comedy and acting. Davidson joined SNL at age 20 and stayed for eight seasons (2014–2022), while Murphy started at age 19 and performed for five seasons (1980–1984).
Davidson highlights that what makes Murphy special is their similar paths as some of the youngest cast members on SNL. They also share significant personal experiences.
“We both lost our dads when we were young… and that was one of the reasons we got into comedy,” Davidson shares.
He admits feeling very fortunate to receive guidance from someone who understands his journey through similar challenges.
Davidson finds Eddie Murphy a uniquely understanding mentor due to their shared SNL roots and personal losses, deepening their bond beyond comedy.