Is 'The King of Staten Island' based on a true story? Which parts have been fictionalised?

King of Staten Island story follows life of Scott Carlin – played by Pete Davidson –  a high school dropout who dreams of opening a tattoo restaurant. Currently, living with his mor, he has still t been able to cope with  death of his far who was a firefighter. Things take a whole new turn when his sister leaves for college and his mor starts dating Ray, a firefighter. Fans ticed that Pete Davidson and his character had many similarities. Thus making m wonder  obvious question, Is King of Staten Island based on a true story?

Is King of Staten Island based on a true story?

According to an interview of Judd Apatow, director, screenwriter and producer of film, with New York Times,  King of Staten Island story is a reimagination of Pete Davidson's life.  King of Staten Island story is what could have happened if Pete Davidson didn't find comedy. If he wanted to become a tattoo artist instead. Pete Davidson himself added that  King of Staten Island story has "75%" similarities to his real life. In or words,  King of Staten Island story is a semi-autobiography that is mostly n-fiction and partly fiction. Having answered question, is King of Staten Island based on a true story,  we dive into next question in everyone's mind: which parts of movie are true and which are t? 

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Scott's family compared to Pete Davidson's family

When movie ends, fans see that movie is a dedication to Scott Davidson, Pete Davidson's far. Like Scott Carlin's late far, even Pete Davidson's real far was a firefighter. movie tells that Scott's far died in a hotel fire. In reality, Scott Davidson actually died during 9/11 attack at World Trade Center. Discussing movie and his personal life, Pete Davidson told CBS Sunday Morning that he wanted movie to be a "cleansing." He was able to come to terms with his far's death by telling story.

Pete Davidson told in movie's official press release that movie was "a love letter to his mor." Like Scott Carlin, even Pete Davidson lives with his mor in Staten Island.  However, Pete Davidson living in a basement under his mor's home is a choice he made. While promoting his Netflix show, Pete Davidson: Alive From New York, he showed his place and shared that he moved re to avoid people. Precisely, Pete Davidson lives in basement by choice and t by circumstance like his character, Scott Carlin.

What many might have t ticed is that Pete Davidson's mor made a cameo in movie. She played a nurse working in same hospital as Scott Carlin's mor, played by Marisa Tomei. re were also or Easter eggs in movie. For instance, Pete Davidson's grandfar also made a cameo appearance in movie. He played Scott's grandfar and appeared at graduation party scene. Similar to Scott Carlin, even Pete Davidson has a sister who is in college.

Scott Carlin's Tattoo Restaurant Dream

One of primary difference between Pete Davidson and Scott Carlin is ir profession. While Pete Davidson is an accomplished comedian, Scott Carlin aspires of opening a tattoo restaurant. However,  one seems to be supportive of dream. For instance, his sister thinks it is a bad idea because one wants to see someone getting a tattoo while y eat. Besides even his friends –  on whom he practices his tattooing skills –  do t like his tattoos. One even call his tattoos "stupid."

In reality, Pete Davidson has a lot of tattoos like his character. He did t want to become a tattoo artist though. Instead, he was passionate about comedy and landed his SNL gig at of 20. Moreover, Pete Davidson is t a highschool dropout like Scott.

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Scott Carlin's Crohn's Disease

Although t interested in building a relationship with his mor's new boyfriend, Ray, Scott Carlin goes to a baseball game with Ray. re, Ray suggests y eat hotdogs. Scott reveals that he has Crohn's disease. He even goes on to explain his condition in detail, thus embarrassing Ray in front of his friends. Pete Davidson told in an interview with High Times that he suffers from Crohn's disease. He added that weed was only thing that would help him eat. This is furr reflected in movie when viewers see Scott smoking weed in movie. Moreover, Pete Davidson's dark circles and lean body structure are often associated with his Crohn's disease. In one scene, Scott Carlin's girlfriend brings an online date to make Scott jealous. She ends up scolding Scott for having dark circles and looking so fatigued.

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Scott's suicidal thoughts

King of Staten Island story also gave us an insight into Scott Carlin's psychological struggles. In movie's opening scene, Scott drives a car recklessly. He has his eyes closed and does t wear his seatbelt. Pete Davidson revealed in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning that he used to do same thing. He said that he used to drive like that on a closed road at night. In same interview, he revealed that he had suicidal thoughts that were "pretty dark and scary."

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Im Courtesy - King of Staten Island Official website