Comedian Pete Davidson honours father killed in 9/11 attacks with call for kindness
By Trizer Lijondo, September 12, 2026American comedian and actor Pete Davidson has remembered his father, Scott Davidson, who was killed during the September 11, 2001 attacks, as he encouraged people to honour the day by doing good deeds for others.
Davidson, who was seven years old when his father died, shared the emotional message as the United States marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Remembering his firefighter father
Scott Davidson was a New York City firefighter who served with Ladder 118 and Engine 205 in Brooklyn Heights. He was among the first responders who lost their lives while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center.
In a message shared through 9/11 Day, Pete reflected on his father’s dedication to his work and the personal significance of the anniversary.
“My dad loved being a fireman, and he loved saving people, as he did on that day,” Davidson said.
The actor has previously spoken about the difficulty of growing up without his father, but this year’s anniversary carries additional meaning as he is now a father himself.
Davidson and his former partner Elsie Hewitt welcomed their daughter, Scottie Rose, in December 2025. The couple named their daughter after Scott, giving Pete another personal connection to his father’s memory.
Turning remembrance into kindness
Rather than focusing only on the sadness surrounding 9/11, Davidson urged people to use the day as an opportunity to help others.
He highlighted 9/11 Day’s “UNIITE For Good” campaign, which encourages people to perform a good deed and then inspire someone else to do the same.
“9/11 is usually a tough day, but this organization, 9/11 Day, does something cool where you do a good deed for someone and you pass it along,” he said.
The initiative encourages acts of kindness ranging from helping someone in need to volunteering or supporting a cause.
Unite for good
Davidson said the approach offered a way of making an otherwise difficult day feel lighter while keeping alive the spirit of unity that followed the attacks.
“Let’s show up for each other,” he said, before adding, “Let’s unite for good.”
Davidson believes his father, whose life was defined by helping others, would have appreciated the idea.
“I think my dad would have loved that,” he said.
His message comes as families, survivors and communities across the United States mark 25 years since the attacks, remembering those who died while reflecting on the acts of compassion and solidarity that followed.