Pete Davidson Transforms Into Mobster Tommy Pitera for Crime Thriller Film

Pete Davidson has undergone a dramatic physical transformation to portray real-life mob enforcer Thomas "Tommy Karate" Pitera in the upcoming crime thriller Tommy Karate. The Saturday Night Live alumnus, unrecognizable in a first official image released in July, stepped away from his comedy roots to embody the feared Bonanno crime family hitman.

The Transformation

A black-and-white photograph unveiled by director Justin Chon shows Davidson in character with slicked-back hair, a dark suit, and a serious expression—a stark departure from his typical comedic persona. Chon captioned the image by noting Davidson's evolution as an actor, remarking that the 32-year-old has matured considerably in his craft.

The real Tommy Pitera earned his nickname through his martial arts prowess, which he weaponized as an enforcer for the Bonanno crime family. Prosecutors identified him as a ruthless killer during his 1992 trial, linking him to multiple murders and a drug operation. Though Pitera denied involvement, he was convicted of six murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. He remains incarcerated at age 71.

Production and Cast

Tommy Karate adapts Philip Carlo's non-fiction book The Butcher: Anatomy of a Mafia Psychopath and is currently filming in Atlanta, Georgia. The film is directed by Justin Chon, known for Blue Bayou and Pachinko, who co-wrote the screenplay with Davidson and Joseph Gay.

• Paul Walter Hauser plays DEA agent Jim Hunt, who pursues Pitera's arrest
• Camila Mendes and Simon Rex round out the supporting cast
• Davidson serves as both producer and co-writer alongside other production partners

Davidson's Creative Investment

Davidson described the role as his "dream job," having invested over three years in developing the project before filming began. In a statement to Deadline, he emphasized the project's significance: "Tommy Karate is the greatest mob story never told." He acknowledged that stepping into a serious dramatic role represents a considerable departure from his stand-up comedy background, though he has expressed enthusiasm about demonstrating his acting capabilities beyond comedy.

The film's producers include North.Five.Six, Two & Two Pictures, and Grammercy Park Media. However, the production team has not yet announced an official release date for the completed film.