Pete Davidson has honored his late father, Scott Davidson, with a heartfelt tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The comedian and actor was only seven years old when his father, a 33-year-old New York City firefighter, was killed while responding to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Scott Davidson was among the 2,977 lives lost that day.
UNIITE For Good Campaign
To commemorate the milestone anniversary, Davidson has become the face of the UNIITE For Good campaign, launched by the non-profit organization 9/11 Day. The initiative aims to transform remembrance into action by encouraging acts of service and unity. In a video released on the charity’s website, the 32-year-old Saturday Night Live alumnus shared his personal story.
“25 years ago, my dad, Scott Davidson, was killed on 9/11. He was a firefighter for Ladder 118, Engine 205 in Brooklyn Heights.”
Davidson added that his father loved being a firefighter and he loved saving people, as he did on that day
. Acknowledging the annual difficulty of the date, he noted, 9/11 is usually a tough day
, but credited 9/11 Day for something cool where you do a good deed for someone and you pass it along
.
“Together, let’s show up for each other,” he continued. “I think my dad would have loved that.”
He concluded the emotional message with the campaign’s central call to action:
“Let’s unite for good.”
Rekindling Unity After 25 Years
David Paine, president and co-founder of 9/11 Day, emphasized the campaign’s broader mission in a statement.
“25 years after 9/11, at a moment when Americans feel deeply divided, we believe there is no more meaningful tribute than to rekindle the remarkable spirit of unity and goodness that transformed America and much of the world in the days following the attacks.”
“We are honoured to have Pete Davidson help share his story, and encourage Americans and others to join together as we did 25 years ago, and remember by doing good.”
A Personal Legacy: Naming His Daughter Scottie
Over the years, Davidson has spoken candidly about his grief and the lasting impact of his father’s death, previously revealing that Scott had promised to pick him up on that fateful morning. In December 2024, Davidson and his former partner, Elsie Hewitt, welcomed their daughter, Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, a deliberate tribute to his father.
Speaking to the New York Post, Davidson explained the choice:
“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.”
Fatherhood Adds New Weight to the Anniversary
Davidson described why the 25th anniversary feels particularly poignant now that he is a parent himself.
“I thought, ‘Oh, he was an old guy. He’s 33,’” he said of his father. “But now I’m there, and I have a kid, and that would be like my kid not having her dad.”
He summarized the complex emotions of the milestone:
“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.”
Support Resources: If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
