"Not good at all": Pete Davidson opens up about back-to-back concussions on film set
Comedian Pete Davidson opens up about suffering two concussions in three weeks while performing his own stunts for an indie film.
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson has shared a harrowing update regarding his recent health, revealing that he suffered two separate concussions within a mere three-week period. The 32-year-old star admitted that these injuries occurred while he was attempting to perform his own stunts for an upcoming independent film project.
The "Idiot" Decision to Skip a Stunt Double
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the The King of Staten Island actor candidly blamed his injuries on his own decision-making. He explained that while the production had the budget to hire a professional stunt double, the physical discrepancy between him and a replacement would have been too obvious for the audience to miss.
“Well, I’m an idiot and I tried to do my own stunts,” Davidson told host Jimmy Kimmel. He noted that the available stunt double was significantly larger than him, describing the individual as being "6’6, huge," which would have made the switch visually jarring in an indie film setting.
An Embarrassing Medical Diagnosis
Davidson recounted the surreal and somewhat awkward experience of undergoing medical testing following the head trauma. He described a bizarre neurological exam where the doctor used a series of seemingly random words to test his cognitive functions.
“He just goes, ‘Mop, mirror, blanket, picnic.’ He says like eight words and you go, ‘What the hell is he doing?’” Davidson recalled. After struggling to repeat the words back during the test, the doctor delivered a blunt diagnosis: “Yeah, you have some brain damage.”
Recovery and the Sunglasses Mystery
The actor also addressed his recent habit of wearing sunglasses indoors and in various settings. He revealed that this is not a fashion choice but a medical necessity. Following his concussions, doctors have advised him to avoid bright lights until mid-November to aid his recovery.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Saturday Night Live alumnus maintained his signature comedic timing. When Kimmel expressed sympathy for his condition, Davidson joked, “I’m more sorry I didn’t really notice a difference.”
Looking Ahead to 'Tommy Karate'
While Davidson did not name the specific indie film where the accidents occurred, he is currently deep in preparation for his highly anticipated project, Tommy Karate. In this film, he undergoes a massive physical transformation to portray the real-life mafia figure Tommy Pitera.
Recent glimpses of his preparation have shown the actor sporting long brunette hair and bright blue contact lenses. Discussing the project, Davidson expressed his excitement, stating that Tommy Karate is "the greatest mob story never told" and noting that he has been working toward this moment for over three years.