Pete Davidson, the actor and comedian known for his raw honesty and vulnerability, has often spoken about the profound impact of losing his father, Scott Davidson, a New York City firefighter, in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In a recent episode of the “Real Ones” podcast with Jon Bernthal, Davidson shared the deeply traumatic way he learned about his father’s death, offering a poignant glimpse into the personal tragedy behind his public persona. This event not only shaped his childhood but also became a defining element in his journey with mental health and personal growth.
Scott Davidson was not just Pete’s father; he was a dedicated firefighter who bravely served during one of America’s darkest days. Young Pete, just seven years old at the time, was expecting his father to pick him up from school on September 11, 2001. However, instead of his dad, his mother, Amy, arrived. In an attempt to shield her young son from the unfolding horror, Amy didn’t immediately tell Pete the truth about the World Trade Center attacks or his father’s fate.
For three agonizing days, Pete was kept in the dark. His mother simply told him that his father was “at work” and would be “coming home soon.” Unaware of the national tragedy and the personal devastation that had struck his family, young Pete was even grounded from watching television, further isolating him from the reality of the situation. This well-intentioned shielding, however, inadvertently prolonged the emotional turmoil and the eventual shock.
Pete Davidson at a movie premiere, showcasing his public persona and the personal story beneath
The innocence of childhood was brutally shattered one evening when Pete defied his grounding and turned on the television. What he saw was not a cartoon or a children’s program, but images of devastation and a list of fallen firefighters – including his father, Scott Davidson. The stark reality of his father’s death was delivered through the cold medium of television news, a moment that would forever be etched in his memory.
Adding to the trauma was the agonizing uncertainty that followed 9/11. For three weeks, the Davidson family, like many others, lived in a state of limbo. There was a sliver of hope as rescue workers tirelessly searched for survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center. This period of uncertainty, the “up and down” of hope and despair, as Pete described it, was incredibly difficult for a young child to process. The lack of closure and the fluctuating emotions further compounded the trauma of losing his father.
Pete Davidson has openly discussed how his father’s death on 9/11 led to years of dealing with abandonment issues. The simple childhood expectation of a parent picking you up from school was broken in the most devastating way. This experience instilled in him a deep-seated distrust, impacting his relationships and his ability to believe in people’s promises. As he candidly admitted, “For life, I’m like, I don’t believe anyone.” Navigating relationships in Hollywood, a place not exactly known for unwavering trust, has been an additional layer of complexity for Davidson.
However, as he has matured, Pete has gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for his mother’s strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable grief. Reflecting on his mother’s age at the time – just 30 years old – Pete expressed awe and empathy for the immense burden she carried. He recognizes now the profound love and dedication his mother showed in raising him during such a difficult period.
Through therapy, Pete Davidson has been actively working to process the trauma of his father’s death and manage his diagnoses of PTSD and borderline personality disorder. Therapy has equipped him with tools to “fact-check” his emotions and challenge the ingrained patterns of distrust that stemmed from his childhood trauma. He is learning to recognize and manage the mental and emotional responses that were shaped by the early loss of his father.
Davidson’s journey is one of resilience and growth. He openly shares his struggles with self-harm and the coping mechanisms he has developed, such as taking cold showers or listening to music, to manage intense emotional surges. His willingness to speak about his experiences destigmatizes mental health challenges and offers hope to others who have faced trauma and loss. The story of Pete Davidson’s father is not just a tale of tragedy, but also a testament to the enduring power of healing and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.
