Pete Davidson reflects on 25th anniversary of dad’s death on 9/11, shares why it's ‘extra tough’ now

Pete Davidson also said he gets to spend the day with his daughter, Scottie, who was named after his late father, Scott Davidson
Pete Davidson was just seven years old when he lost his father, Scott Davidson, in the 9/11 attacks (Getty Images, Casey Davidson/Instagram)
Pete Davidson was just seven years old when he lost his father, Scott Davidson, in the 9/11 attacks (Getty Images, Casey Davidson/Instagram)

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Pete Davidson got candid about the grief he continues to experience, especially in September of every year, after losing his father in the 9/11 attacks.

He has also explained why this year’s 25th death anniversary of his father is “extra tough".

The comedian's father, Scott Davidson, was an FDNY firefighter who died responding to the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was 33 at the time, and the actor was only seven. 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 15: Pete Davidson speaks onstage during the Amazon MGM Studios CinemaCon 2026 Presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios)
Pete Davidson speaks onstage during the Amazon MGM Studios CinemaCon 2026 Presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 15, 2026 (Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios)

Pete Davidson feels grief on a deeper level after becoming a father

Now 32 and a father himself, Davidson is experiencing the loss of his dad on a deeper level. The 'Saturday Night Live' alum and his former partner, Elsie Hewitt, welcomed their daughter, Scottie Rose, in December last year.

Speaking with The New York Post, Davidson said, “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.”

Pete Davidson explains what the 25th anniversary of dad’s death means to him now

Pete Davidson was a New York City firefighter (Casey Davidson/Instagram)

“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,” Davidson said, before noting that “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.”

Davidson went on to reveal to the publication that despite his and Hewitt’s differences, they agreed to name their daughter Scottie.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Elsie Hewitt and Pete Davidson are seen as the Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks in the first quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Elsie Hewitt and Pete Davidson are seen as the Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks in the first quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025 ( Al Bello/Getty Images)

“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 Scottie.’ It’s nice to keep that name alive,” he revealed.

Pete Davidson says daughter Scottie always stares at his dad's photo

‘The King of Staten Island’ actor further disclosed that her daughter already feels attached to her grandfather.

“When Scottie was first born, we’d give her a bath in the sink, and there’s a picture of my dad above the sink. She would always stare at it,” he said.

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27: Pete Davidson poses in the press room during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awa
Pete Davidson poses in the press room at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 (Getty Images)

Continuing further, he stated, “You’re like, ‘I don’t know if that’s because that’s the only picture there and she’s brand new and just observing things.’ But then I moved back to Brooklyn and put the picture in a different location. 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.”

Davidson also shared his plan for how he’ll help Scottie learn about her grandfather.

“I have old videos and pictures and stuff, and I’m excited to share the classic stories I have of him with her,” he said.

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