Much of Pete Davidson’s comedy stems from his upbringing and the influence of his parents. A native of New York City, Davidson spent his childhood in Staten Island with his mother, Amy Waters Davidson, his father, Scott Matthew Davidson, and his sister, Casey.
Tragically, when Pete was just 7 years old, his father, a firefighter, perished in the 9/11 attacks, an event that profoundly shaped Davidson’s life and career.
Reflecting on how the tragedy affected him, Davidson explained in a 2022 appearance on Kevin Hart’s Hart to Heart series, “If my childhood was fine, I’d probably be a construction worker in Staten Island, and I’d be happy. But that weird stuff changed me and made me love comedy.”
Amy Davidson shares her journey supporting Pete through grief and healing
Pete’s mother, Amy, discussed the emotional toll her son endured after losing his father. In a 2020 interview, she revealed that it took years for him to find peace and begin healing, describing it as a struggle that’s only recently started to show signs of resolution.
Davidson has kept his father’s memory alive in various ways, from tattoos to career choices. Despite living independently in 2021, Pete has remained very close to his mother, with the two often seen together, including at a Brooklyn Nets game in November 2024.
Here’s a closer look at Pete Davidson’s family and the influences that shaped him. Scott Davidson was a New York City firefighter who died during the 9/11 attacks. He joined Ladder Company 118 in 1994 after earning his degree in history from the College of Staten Island.
In his younger years, Scott also captained the school’s basketball team. Pete was just a young child when his father passed while on duty, an experience that has deeply affected him and shaped his comedy.
Amy Davidson shared in a 2015 interview with The New York Times how Pete acted out in his youth, even resorting to self-harm as he processed his grief. As a teenager, he found solace in stand-up comedy, an outlet that would eventually launch his career.
To honor her late husband, Amy shared throwback images on Instagram in 2023, including one of Pete as a child wearing his father’s firefighting gear. “Happiest days of my life and I didn’t know it 💙” she captioned the tribute, adding, “Never forget and always be grateful 💙.”
After parting ways with Ariana Grande in 2019, Davidson bought a house on Staten Island, where he initially lived with his mother. He humorously shared that they bought the house together and he had his own basement apartment where he set up an arcade.
As his career grew, Davidson lived with Amy, but by 2021, he was ready to move out. He shared his pandemic Valentine’s experience on SNL, humorously recounting that it was the first time being alone wasn’t his fault, signaling his decision to leave his mom’s house.
Despite their living arrangements evolving, Davidson and his mom’s bond has remained strong, with both appearing together in a 2019 SNL segment. In the skit, Pete joked about their shared living space, and Amy humorously played along, sharing her thoughts on potential suitors for her.
Amy’s media presence continued in 2023 when she starred alongside Pete in a Smartwater commercial, where they joked about their still-close relationship. “I still chill with my mom,” Pete said as they shared a meal in the ad.
Davidson’s tattoos serve as a constant reminder of his late father, with various tributes etched onto his skin. One prominent piece features a kneeling firefighter with the firefighter’s prayer and the Roman numeral for nine, representing the month his father died.
The comedian has also shared posts honoring his father on social media, such as a 2016 tribute on the 15th anniversary of the attacks, where he reflected on the impact his father had on him.
In 2020, Pete dedicated his semi-autobiographical film, The King of Staten Island, to his parents. The movie, which he co-wrote and starred in, portrays a young man coping with the loss of his father, mirroring Pete’s own journey. He described the film as a “love letter” to his mom and a way to put the past to rest.
Amy also regularly posts childhood memories of Pete on Instagram, often accompanied by heartfelt captions. For his 29th birthday in 2022, she shared a series of photos showing Pete as a child, playing guitar, posing with his sister, and spending time with his late father.
Through his work, tattoos, and personal tributes, Davidson continues to honor the memory of his father while maintaining a strong relationship with his mother, who has been his pillar throughout his life and career.
