Comedian Pete Davidson is approaching the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks with a mix of grief and a sense of healing, as he reflects on the loss of his father, Scott Davidson, a firefighter who died on that day. Davidson was 7 years old when his father, a member of FDNY's Ladder Company 118, was killed. Now, approaching the age his father was at the time of his death, Davidson finds this anniversary particularly poignant.
"This year is extra tough, but also extra beautiful because I get to spend the day with Scottie," Davidson said, referring to his infant daughter, whom he named Scottie after his father. "It’ll be very healing and special." He welcomed Scottie in December with model Elsie Hewitt. Davidson noted that both he and Hewitt agreed on the name Scottie, which was his father's nickname, finding it a meaningful way to keep his father's memory alive. He shared that his daughter seems drawn to her grandfather, often staring at a picture of Scott Davidson displayed near her bath.
Davidson has not yet determined how he will explain his father's death to his daughter but looks forward to sharing stories and memories. "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.
Comedy Benefit for First Responders
Davidson is partnering with comedian Jon Stewart to host "NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Comedy Benefit" at Madison Square Garden on September 10. The event aims to support charities assisting first responders and their families who were impacted by the attacks. Davidson described Stewart as a significant figure who embodies goodwill and has been a supportive presence. The benefit follows a similar event they hosted for the 20th anniversary.
"Benefits are tricky, and 9/11 is such a sad thing. So to be able to check that at the door and have a good time for a great cause is one of my favorite things," Davidson stated. He expressed admiration for the firefighters, first responders, police, and EMTs who will attend, many of whom were friends and colleagues of his father.
Stewart has been a dedicated advocate for 9/11 rescue and recovery workers, instrumental in the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides long-term medical care and compensation. Davidson called Stewart "a brother in that" for his work.
Honoring Memory and Community
For Davidson, supporting 9/11 survivors is a personal mission to honor his father. "You honor those people and always appreciate those guys. Those are real-life heroes," he said. He also gives back to the community that supported him after his father's death. Both he and his sister, Casey, attended America's Camp, a therapeutic summer camp for children affected by 9/11.
Davidson expressed concern about the "memefication" of 9/11, where the tragedy sometimes becomes trivialized online. "It’s this weird thing that happens in our country where a tragedy over time becomes a holiday. And then sometimes I know the youth on the internet uses 9/11 memes as jokes... And it’s very nice that people that have nothing to do with it post a photo on that day and they’ll never forget. But it’s also like, you guys have no f–king idea, actually," he said.
The comedy benefit is intended, in part, to reclaim the anniversary from constant, somber retrospectives. "We want to reclaim the day and just have fun," Davidson explained, "and not be in the middle of 12 documentaries that are so sad and rehash it."
Despite the changes in New York City since his childhood, Davidson believes the city retains its spirit of unity and mutual support. "The one thing I know our city and our state are really good at is coming together and having other people’s backs when the chips are down," he said. "New York has changed since I was a kid. It’s damn near unrecognizable. But we show up for each other. At the end of the day, that’s what New York is."