Pete Davidson Recalls Covering up 'Dumb' Tattoo of Words of Wisdom From Dave Chappelle

The comedian revealed earlier this year that he's removing almost all of his 200 tattoos.

July 29, 2025

Getty/Kevin Winter

Pete Davidson is in the midst of removing his tattoos, one of which was a quote from Dave Chappelle.

While appearing on Hot Ones, Davidson was asked about the removal process, which prompted him to reveal that his most “humiliating" ink came after an encounter with Chappelle.

Davidson recalled a performance at a comedy club in New York when he was 19 or 20, hosted by Hannibal Buress, and Chappelle was sitting in the audience.

"This was before he was back," Davidson said around the 19:50 minute mark. "So seeing him was like crazy."

"I got off stage, and he was like, 'I watched your whole set. It was really good," Davidson added. He then asked Chappelle for advice on writing new material. At the time, Davidson had just joined the Saturday Night Live.

"And he goes, 'Jokes come and go, but swag is forever,'" Davidson remembered. "And guess who got that tattooed on their chest? But he was like my idol. He still is."

Davidson called the tattoo “dumb,” adding, "I could've just told people he said that to me. Also, when you see that, you think I thought of it." He eventually covered it up with a portrait of the shark from Jaws.

In January, the comedian shared that he’s been “burning off” almost all 200 of his tattoos because he wants a "clean slate." He discussed the process on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, after the host noticed that some of Davidson’s tattoos were missing.

“It’s horrible,” the 31-year-old explained. “Well, they gotta burn off a layer of your skin and then it has to heal for six to eight weeks and you can’t get in the sunlight. And then you gotta do it like 12 more times.”

Davidson then spoke directly to the audience and joked, “So really think about that Game of Thrones tattoo you’re thinking of getting, all right?”

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