How Pete Davidson's career was shaped by his firefighter dad Scott who died saving lives after 9/11 attack
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Over the years, Pete Davidson has seen his fair share of highs and lows, from career achievements to losing his loved ones. The multi-hyphenate, 29, gained notoriety after appearing on ‘Guy Code’ in 2013 and joining ‘Saturday Night Live’ as one of the show's youngest cast members at age 20 in 2014. Now, he is all set to add another feather to his hat by appearing as the fan-favorite Autobot Mirage in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts', which is scheduled to hit theaters on June 9.
Following his debut, Davidson carved a niche for himself with his many humorous and dynamic performances. The comedian is often seen crediting his success to his mother, Amy Waters Davidson, and father, Scott Davidson, an NYC firefighter, who died a hero died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks — an event that had a massive impact on Davidson. Davidson was only seven-years-old when Scott died while serving his nation. The actor frequently speaks about how the saddening death of his father shaped his high-profile career.
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Who was Scott Davidson?
Scott Matthew Davidson began his career as a firefighter with Ladder Company 118 in 1994, according to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Before earning his role, he graduated with a bachelor's in history from the College of Staten Island, where he also participated in basketball and held the position of caption his final year. On September 11, 2001, Ladder Company 118 firemen rushed to the site as a second hijacked plane slammed into the World Trade Centre. They raced to the World Trade Centre hotel in time to save many of the guests before it collapsed. Scott was trying to evacuate people inside when died in the line of duty at the tender age of 33.
'I was a f*cking nightmare'
Following Scott’s death, Pete’s situation worsened and his school behavior deteriorated. He changed schools three times due to his perception that other students were cruel. As per his mother, Davidson became a "lab rat" for doctors studying the psychological effects of terrorist attacks. He struggled with both drug addiction and mental health issues throughout the past few years of his life. He finally found peace after making it big in the industry. In his previous appearance on Kevin Hart's Peacock talk show 'Hart to Heart', Davidson opened up about his childhood and having the support of his family while getting his stand-up career off the ground.
“My childhood was not great. My dad passed early. Single mom, new sister. I did not handle it great. I was a f*cking nightmare,” he said. 'The King of Staten Island' star also revealed that he wouldn't have become a successful artist if he hadn't dealt with the challenges that followed the loss of his father. “I tell my friends that all the time. I’m like, ‘If everything in my childhood was fine, I’d probably be a construction worker in Staten Island and be the happiest guy ever.’ But that weird shit that it does to you made me love comedy,” he stated.
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Pete Davidson wants to be a parent like his father
Despite his struggles, Pete aspires to become a parent and raise his own children in the same manner that his father did for him. "Since my dad died, I was like, 'Oh, I can't wait to have a kid,'" he said, adding that he had previously worried that fatherhood wasn't in his future. "I don't like saying corny sh*t, the reasoning was like, I don't want a kid to ever feel like how I feel right now," he elaborated, bringing up the passing of his dad as an example. "It wasn't his fault; he passed away. But just to be there so that someone doesn't have to feel like that."
