Pete Davidson Faces 9/11 Anniversary as a Father, 25 Years After Losing His Dad
Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, comedian Pete Davidson is marking the anniversary of his father's death with a new perspective: as a parent himself. Davidson, whose father Scott Davidson died while serving as a New York City firefighter, says this year's milestone feels both heavier and more meaningful because he now has a daughter named after the man he lost.
How has fatherhood changed Davidson's view of his dad's death?
Davidson told The New York Post that reaching the same age his father was when he died has reshaped his understanding of the loss. Scott Davidson was 33 years old on 9/11, the same age Pete Davidson is now.
“I thought, 'Oh, he was an old guy. He's 33.' But now I'm there, and I have a kid, and that would be like my kid not having her dad.”
The comedian admitted the 25th anniversary hits harder than recent years. “Honestly, this year is way harder than it's been in a really long time because I have Scottie, and now I'm the age that my dad was when he died,” he said.
Why did Davidson name his daughter Scottie?
Davidson and his ex-partner, model Elsie Hewitt, welcomed their daughter Scottie Rose in December. The name honors the late firefighter, whose nickname was Scotty. Davidson said the decision came naturally when both parents looked at their newborn.
“It was really cool that Elsie also wanted to name her Scottie. My dad's name was Scott, but his nickname was Scotty. When she arrived, we both looked at her and were like, 'She looks like a Scottie.' It's nice to keep that name alive.”
What role does Davidson's father play in his daughter's life?
Davidson shared a personal detail about how his daughter seems connected to her grandfather's memory. When Scottie was a newborn, she would stare at a photo of Scott Davidson hanging above the sink during bath time. After Davidson moved back to Brooklyn and relocated the picture, the pattern continued.
“When I walk around, Scottie always turns her head and looks at him. I don't know what I believe in, but I like to think that his presence is somehow around.”
How did Davidson honor his father on the 25th anniversary?
Davidson participated in “NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Comedy Benefit” at Madison Square Garden on Thursday evening. The event featured a lineup of top comedians including Jon Stewart, Aziz Ansari, Nate Bargatze, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Josh Johnson, and Cipha Sounds.
Davidson praised his longtime friend Stewart, calling him “someone who's so New York and represents the tristate area, and is just the barometer of goodwill.” Proceeds from the event supported charities aiding first responders affected by 9/11 and their families.
What does this anniversary mean for Davidson and his daughter?
Despite the weight of the day, Davidson finds solace in spending it with Scottie. “This year is extra tough, but also extra beautiful because I get to spend the day with Scottie. It'll be very healing and special,” he said.
Since becoming a father, Davidson has described the experience as “exhausting and rewarding and cute,” telling PEOPLE in March that he is embracing dad life fully. The 25th anniversary marks a turning point: grief now coexists with the joy of raising the next generation, carrying forward a name and a memory.