In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the identity of Spider-Man aka Peter Parker has been revealed and forgotten several times by the Avengers. Here is a look at which Avengers currently remember Spider-Man’s secret identity in the MCU timeline.
Iron Man/Tony Stark
Tony Stark was the first Avenger to discover Peter Parker’s identity when he recruited Spider-Man to help in the events of Captain America: Civil War. Tony built Peter his first official Spider-Man suit and acted as a mentor to the young hero. Throughout their time together, Tony was fully aware that Peter Parker was Spider-Man.
However, Tony Stark sacrificed his life to defeat Thanos and his army in Avengers: Endgame. With Tony gone, he no longer retains memories of Peter’s identity.
Captain America/Steve Rogers
Steve Rogers allied with Tony Stark and Peter Parker during the Avengers civil war. He was present when Peter was first recruited and likely deduced Spider-Man’s identity. However, Rogers maintained a principled approach and respected Peter’s secret identity.
At the end of Endgame, Steve Rogers traveled back in time to return the Infinity Stones and decided to stay in the past to live out his life with Peggy Carter. Old man Steve later appeared in the present timeline to pass on his shield.
Due to Steve’s time travel and aging, it is unclear if he still remembers Peter Parker’s identity in his elderly state. But the memories likely faded over decades spent in an alternate timeline.
Thor
Thor was off world during the events of Captain America: Civil War when Peter Parker was first introduced. When he returned to Earth, Thor met Spider-Man briefly during the battle against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.
Thor showed no indication he was aware of Spider-Man’s identity during their interactions. As an Avenger focused on cosmic-level threats, Thor had little interest in the personal lives of heroes on Earth.
Therefore, Thor never learned Peter Parker was Spider-Man before Thanos’ snap. And he had no reason to uncover his identity after being rescued from space by the Guardians of the Galaxy post-Endgame.
Bruce Banner/Hulk
During Peter Parker’s introduction in Captain America: Civil War, Bruce Banner was still missing following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Banner returned to Earth later during Thor: Ragnarok and briefly fought alongside Spider-Man in Infinity War and Endgame.
But there were no interactions indicating Banner knew Peter’s identity. And as a globally wanted fugitive for much of this period, Banner had little connection to other heroes or interest in their personal lives.
Following Endgame, Banner suffered severe injury to his arm from using the Infinity Stones. He is now focused on science and research rather than investigating other heroes. So it’s very unlikely Bruce Banner learned or remembers that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.
Clint Barton/Hawkeye
During Spider-Man’s introduction in Civil War, Clint Barton had already retired from the Avengers to spend time with his family. He later returned as Ronin to avenge his family’s death by Thanos, but never crossed paths with Spider-Man.
Barton only saw Peter briefly during the final battle with Thanos in Endgame. He showed no awareness of Spider-Man’s identity, and as a family man would have little reason to look into his private life.
So Hawkeye never knew Peter Parker was Spider-Man during his Avenger days, and has yet to interact with him since Endgame in any meaningful way.
Doctor Strange
While aware of Spider-Man as a hero, Doctor Strange did not meet Peter Parker formally until the events of Infinity War. At that point, Parker had already been acting publicly as Spider-Man for over a year.
Strange demonstrated great magical knowledge and foresight in analyzing possible futures against Thanos. But he displayed no insight into Spider-Man’s personal identity. And as a Master of the Mystic Arts detached from mundane world affairs, Strange had no reason to look into Parker’s private life.
All evidence indicates Doctor Strange worked with Spider-Man on a purely professional basis and never learned his secret identity.
Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff was fiercely protective of her own secret identity and privacy as a Sokovian citizen with great power. As she grew into her role as Scarlet Witch within the Avengers, Wanda respected the privacy of her peers.
Parker was introduced to the Avengers shortly after Wanda joined the team. But she never pried into his personal life or secret identity. Their only interactions occurred years later during the battles against Thanos.
Based on her own desire for privacy and lack of meaningful connection to Parker, it’s unlikely Wanda Maximoff knew or currently knows Spider-Man is secretly Peter Parker.
The Guardians of the Galaxy
The spacefaring Guardians of the Galaxy only crossed paths with Spider-Man during the final fight against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. None of them had met Parker previously.
Their brief collaboration gave no indication the Guardians knew anything about Spider-Man’s identity. And after Endgame, they returned to space with no ties to Earth or interest in learning heroes’ secret identities.
Star Lord, Drax, Mantis, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Nebula and the other Guardians certainly remember fighting alongside Spider-Man. But they never had a chance to learn he is secretly Peter Parker.
Nick Fury
As former Director of SHIELD, Nick Fury made it his business to know the identities of enhanced individuals across the globe. His networks certainly informed him early on that the New York-based Spider-Man was secretly Peter Parker.
But Fury maintained that secret for Parker’s protection, and recruited him personally in Spider-Man: Far From Home only after his identity was already exposed to the world.
While never explicitly stated, all evidence points to Fury being aware of Spider-Man’s real name for years but respecting his privacy until absolutely necessary.
Happy Hogan
As Tony Stark’s right-hand man and Head of Security, Happy Hogan was aware of Peter Parker’s identity from the beginning. He served as a liaison between Stark and Parker throughout Spider-Man: Homecoming, keeping tabs on the teenage hero.
Happy continued to monitor Parker closely and remain in contact even after Tony Stark’s death, promising to look out for him. It is certain Happy Hogan still remembers Peter is Spider-Man.
Pepper Potts
As Tony Stark’s fiancee and eventual wife, Pepper Potts was informed of Peter Parker’s identity and Tony’s recruitment of him. Especially after becoming caretaker of Stark Industries, Pepper ensured no company secrets ever revealed Spider-Man’s identity.
Even after Tony’s death, Pepper continued providing Parker with specially designed suits and technology as Spider-Man. She definitely still knows Peter is the man behind the mask.
Talos
The Skrull commander Talos became closely affiliated with Nick Fury following the events of Captain Marvel. Their inside knowledge likely made Talos aware of Spider-Man’s identity years ago.
Talos later impersonated Fury to handle the aftermath of Mysterio exposing Parker’s identity to the world in Spider-Man: Far From Home. While never explicitly stated, Talos almost certainly knew Peter’s identity while coordinating the response.
Mysterio/Quentin Beck
Former Stark Industries employee Quentin Beck learned that Peter Parker was Spider-Man when he stumbled onto Tony Stark’s classified files. Beck used drones and illusion technology to impersonate a hero dubbed Mysterio.
After his deceit was exposed by Parker, Mysterio used his last act to broadcast a video posthumously revealing Spider-Man’s identity to the public. While Mysterio is dead, he clearly learned and intentionally exposed the truth that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.
Aunt May
Peter Parker’s Aunt May discovered his secret identity in Spider-Man: Homecoming when she walked into his room as he was wearing his Spider-Man suit. Since then, May has fully supported Peter’s life as Spider-Man.
She was tragically killed during the events of No Way Home, but not before solidifying her status as someone who definitively knew Peter and Spider-Man were one and the same.
Ned Leeds
Peter Parker’s best friend Ned was the first person he revealed his Spider-Man identity to after getting bitten by the radioactive spider. Ned has ardently assisted Parker in his efforts as Spider-Man since the beginning.
Ned was a witness to the events that erased knowledge of Peter Parker’s identity from the world. But Ned’s own memories remained unaffected, leaving him as one of the few who remembers Peter is Spider-Man.
MJ/Michelle Jones
Michelle “MJ” Jones deduction skills led to her learning Peter Parker’s secret on her own prior to the Europe trip seen in Spider-Man: Far From Home. She became Peter’s girlfriend shortly after.
Like Ned, Michelle was present when Parker’s identity was magically wiped from the world’s memory. But being so close to Peter allowed her to retain her knowledge. Michelle remains someone who knows Spider-Man is Peter Parker.
Conclusion
Only a handful of heroes and allies definitively know and remember that Peter Parker is the man behind Spider-Man’s mask following the reality-altering events designed to protect his identity. They include Ned Leeds, Michelle Jones, Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, Talos and possibly Nick Fury.
Meanwhile, heroes like Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Thor, Captain America, Scarlet Witch, Hulk and the Guardians never learned Peter’s identity during their limited interactions. And Tony Stark tragically cannot remember his protege’s secret due to his death.
For now, Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man remains partially protected thanks to powerful magic. But danger always arises from those who do know the webslinger’s true name. Peter must remain vigilant to keep his superhero alias as separated from his personal life as possible going forward.
