Pete Davidson, once known for his heavily tattooed appearance, is undergoing a painful transformation, removing around 200 tattoos he now calls his “dumbest.” The 31-year-old comedian has spent over $200,000 erasing inked memories, including tributes to ex-girlfriends, a portrait of Hillary Clinton, and SpongeBob’s DoodleBob.

Davidson explained that his growing acting career motivated the change. “I never thought I’d get to act, and I love it. But I’d have to show up three hours early to cover the tattoos because movie characters rarely have them,” he told Seth Meyers.

His tattoo collection began in his teens, with pieces honoring his late firefighter father, pop culture references like Harry Potter, and cartoons smoking blunts. Sobriety pushed him to start the removal process – a grueling, painful procedure requiring multiple sessions per tattoo. “They burn off a layer of skin, then you wait weeks and repeat it 12 more times,” Davidson shared with Jimmy Fallon.

Recently, Davidson unveiled his new look in a Reformation clothing campaign, appearing nearly tattoo-free. Dubbed the “Official Boyfriend,” he posed confidently as a supportive partner, signaling a more mature, refined image. Fans may miss the ink, but Davidson remains the same comedian at heart.