Remembering Scott Davidson: Pete Davidson’s Father and 9/11 Hero
A Life Dedicated to Helping Others
Scott Davidson, father of comedian Pete Davidson, was a firefighter with Brooklyn Ladder 118. On September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers were attacked, he raced to the World Trade Center. There, he made the ultimate sacrifice while saving others.
Most people know him as Pete Davidson’s dad or as the New York City firefighter who died on 9/11. But those who knew him personally say he was much more. Scott served his community in every role he could—bartender, coach, substitute teacher—and never stopped helping others. Tragically, he died buried under 1.8 million tons of rubble while assisting people at the Marriott hotel just before the North Tower collapsed.
Pete was only seven when he lost his father. He would carry that trauma for decades, honoring Scott by tattooing his father’s badge number on his arm. In 2020, he memorialized him in the semi-autobiographical film The King of Staten Island.
Early Life and Athletic Passion
Scott Matthew Davidson was born on January 4, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York. His family moved to Staten Island when he was two. Raised by Steven and Carla Davidson, Scott and his brother Michael explored their neighborhood with youthful energy and curiosity.
Sports became Scott’s greatest passion early on. He excelled in baseball as an all-star in the Great Kills Little League. In high school, he played four years of basketball at St. Joseph By-The-Sea and earned the Most Valuable Player title in the Jacques Classic All-Star Game in 1986.
Scott continued to pursue sports in college at the College of Staten Island. As captain of the basketball team, he led the Dolphins to victory and won both the Melvin Barmel Memorial Award and CSI’s Male Athlete of the Year honor in 1990.
Following His Dream: Firefighting and Teaching
In March 1994, Scott achieved his lifelong dream: joining the New York City Fire Department. Ladder 118 became his home, and firefighting became his calling.
Before fully committing to the fire department, he earned a teaching license and worked as a substitute teacher. He even bartended at the Armory Inn in Westerleigh while supporting his growing family. Scott remained active in sports, coaching youth basketball and refereeing community leagues. His father, Steven Davidson, recalled, “Scott was a true team player. He was fearless and always went the extra mile.”
The Fateful Day: 9/11
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Scott was on shift with Ladder 118. At 8:46 a.m., the first plane hit the North Tower. Soon after, the second plane struck the South Tower. His team received the call to respond.
As they raced across the Brooklyn Bridge, a photographer captured their fire truck, unaware it was their final ride. All six men in the truck perished that day, and the story of “The Last Run of Ladder 118” appeared on the front page of The Daily News.
Once at the scene, Scott and his team rushed to evacuate the Marriott World Trade Center hotel, wedged between the Twin Towers. By the time the North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m., they had saved roughly 200 people.
Pete Davidson’s Journey After Loss
The world mourned, but none felt the pain deeper than Pete Davidson. Losing his father at a young age shaped his childhood and adolescence. He struggled with mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, and even pulled out his own hair.
Comedy became his coping mechanism. Pete began performing stand-up and eventually joined Saturday Night Live in 2014, helping support his mother, Amy. In 2020, he honored his father in The King of Staten Island, a heartfelt tribute that captured the love and heroism of Scott Davidson.