Comedian Pete Davidson is looking at the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with sadness, but with newfound optimism, and why losing his father that day is extra emotional this year.
Davidson was only seven years old when his father didn’t return home, and he was one of the hundreds of firefighters who lost their lives rescuing civilians after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City. His father, Scott, was a firefighter with Ladder Company 118 in Brooklyn Heights.
The Saturday Night Live alum has often spoken and even joked on stage about losing his father at such a young age. In an interview with the New York Post, Davidson admits this year’s commemoration of 9/11 has hit him harder. It’s largely due to him having become a father himself last year.
“I thought, ‘Oh, he was an old guy. He’s 33,’” Davidson said. “But now I’m there, and I have a kid, and that would be like my kid not having her dad. So 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.”
The comedian welcomed a baby girl last December with his ex-partner and model Elsie Hewitt. They split shortly after the birth of their daughter. Davidson reveals that one thing the former couple was 100% on board with was naming their daughter after his father, Scottie.
“It was really cool that Elsie also wanted to name her Scottie,” he said. “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.”
Davidson adds that he thinks his daughter is already connected to his father, despite never being able to meet him. When his daughter was first born, they’d give her baths in the kitchen sink. Above it was a photo of Davidson’s father, and his daughter would always stare at it.
“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,” he explained.
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While not knowing exactly what he believes, he thinks his father’s presence is still around. Davidson admits that he’s still unsure how he’ll tell his daughter about how her grandfather died, but “luckily, I have some time.”
“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. So I’m just kind of like, ‘Holy s–t,'” he said.
Despite this, he’s excited to one day explain how Scottie got her name. He already had videotapes, pictures, and classic stories that he would be ready to share with her. Over the years, the comedian has also been active in the New York community honoring the lost firefighters and their families.
“You honor those people and always appreciate those guys. Those are real-life heroes,” he said. “If there’s anything I could ever do for anyone, I would do it. I really enjoy it, and I like to honor my dad and keep that memory alive.”