Pete Davidson, the well-known comedian and actor, has often shared personal stories that resonate with audiences, blending humor with vulnerability. Among these narratives, the story of his father, Scott Davidson, a New York City firefighter, stands out as particularly poignant and impactful. Many fans wonder, How Did Pete Davidson Dad Pass Away? The answer lies in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, a day that irrevocably changed countless lives, including Davidson’s.
Scott Davidson was not just Pete’s father; he was a dedicated firefighter who served with the FDNY and tragically lost his life during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On that fateful day, Scott Davidson was among the brave first responders who rushed to the World Trade Center after the planes struck. He was part of the courageous effort to save lives in the face of unimaginable disaster. At the time, Pete was just seven years old, a tender age to grapple with such profound loss.
In a recent episode of the “Real Ones” podcast with Jon Bernthal, Pete Davidson recounted the distressing way he came to learn about his father’s passing. He shared that his father had told him he would pick him up from school that day. However, it was his mother, Amy, who arrived instead. In an attempt to shield her young son from the unfolding horror, Amy Davidson initially kept the truth from Pete. For three long days, Pete was told that his dad was “at work” and “coming home soon,” leaving him unaware of the catastrophic events that had transpired. His mother even “grounded” him from watching television, likely trying to further protect him from the disturbing news coverage of the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Pete Davidson attends the premiere of
Pete Davidson at a movie premiere, reflecting on the impact of his father’s loss in the 9/11 attacks.
The innocence of childhood was shattered when Pete, defying his mother’s restriction, turned on the television one night. It was then that he saw images of the firefighters who had perished in the attacks, and among them, he recognized his father. This sudden and stark revelation was deeply traumatic. As Pete described, “I turned on the TV and I just saw my dad on the TV. I was like, ‘Oh, OK.’ And they were like, these are all the firemen that are, like, dead.”
Adding to the agonizing ordeal, the Davidson family, like many others, endured weeks of uncertainty. In the chaotic aftermath of 9/11, there was a glimmer of hope as rescue workers tirelessly searched for survivors. “It was weird because we didn’t know he was dead for, like, three weeks,” Pete explained. “They were finding people, you know? They were pulling people out of s—, and there was just some sort of hope. Like, it was just up and down and nobody knew how to deal with it.” This period of limbo, oscillating between hope and despair, amplified the emotional toll on young Pete and his mother.
The loss of his father in such a devastating event has had a lasting impact on Pete Davidson. He has openly discussed his struggles with abandonment issues stemming from this early trauma. As he poignantly stated, “You know, Dad says he’s coming to pick you up and he doesn’t.” This experience instilled in him a deep-seated difficulty in trusting others, a challenge he acknowledges he still grapples with, especially in an environment like Hollywood. The absence of his father became a defining element in his young life, shaping his perspectives and emotional landscape.
In his adult years, Davidson has been diagnosed with both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), conditions he believes are linked to the trauma of losing his father on 9/11. He has been commendably open about his mental health journey, emphasizing the importance of therapy in navigating these challenges. Therapy has provided him with tools to “fact-check” his thoughts and reactions, particularly when dealing with trust issues and the ingrained patterns of trauma. He has learned to recognize and manage self-destructive behaviors, like self-harm, developing healthier coping mechanisms such as taking a cold shower, listening to music, or reaching out to friends when overwhelmed.
Through therapy and personal growth, Pete Davidson has gained a deeper understanding of the immense pressure and grief his mother faced in the aftermath of his father’s death. He recognizes her strength and love in shielding him while navigating her own profound loss at just 30 years old. This evolving perspective has fostered a deeper appreciation for his mother’s resilience and the complexities of grief.
The story of how Pete Davidson’s dad passed away is a somber reminder of the far-reaching consequences of the 9/11 attacks. It is a personal tragedy interwoven with a national one, highlighting the individual stories of loss and resilience that emerged from that day. For Pete Davidson, the loss of his father is not just a historical event but a deeply personal experience that continues to shape his life, his work, and his ongoing journey of healing and self-discovery. His willingness to share his story not only honors his father’s memory but also contributes to a broader conversation about grief, trauma, and mental health in the aftermath of tragedy.
