Pete Davidson, well-known for his spot on the late-night sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, is often associated with American comedy, and being the funny guy.
However, despite his ability to make others laugh, the 29-year-old's personal life hasn’t been easy.
During his appearance on Kevin Hart’s talk show, Hart to Heart, Davidson opened up about the loss of his father in the 9/11 attacks on the US.
The comedian's father, Scott Matthew Davidson, was a New York firefighter who died trying to save the lives of others during the attacks on the World Trade Center.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reported that on September 11, 2001, Scott Davidson responded to a call after the second hijacked airline struck the South Tower.
Scott was only 33 years old when he lost his life, leaving behind his son Pete and daughter Casey, who were just seven and three respectively at the time. Scott was one of 2,996 who lost their lives on that fateful day.
According to the 9/11 Commission, the New York City Fire Department lost 343 among their ranks, while 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority officers also lost their lives.
The siblings have continued to pay tribute to their father, with Davidson’s sister, Casey, posting a tribute to her late father on her Instagram on the 21st anniversary of the attacks.
"This year more then ever I wish you could be here. We miss you, we celebrate you and we remember you every day. Proud to be your caseygirl," she wrote back in September.
Davidson has previously opened up about his grief and how working on The King of Staten Island tied into this.
The 2020 movie, which Davidson both co-wrote and starred in, is based on his own experiences in growing up and dealing with childhood loss.
The semi-autobiographical flick follows Davidson’s character, also named Scott, as he comes to terms with his grief from the loss of his firefighter dad.
Davidson told Sky News’ podcast Backstage how creating the movie helped him work through the death of his father at such a young age.
“I wanted to be able to move on and show that it’s okay to have issues and it’s okay to struggle and that you’re not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” the actor told Backstage.
In the credits, viewers can see that the film is dedicated to the memory of Scott Davidson.
When speaking on Kevin Hart’s podcast Hart to Heart on Peacock earlier this year, Davidson opened up about his trauma saying “my childhood wasn’t great”.
"Dad passed early, y'know? Single mom... like, new sister... just did not handle it great," the comedian said.
But that it doesn’t stop him from wanting to start his own family.
He told Hart: “I want to have a kid, that’s like my dream.
“That’s kinda what I’m preparing for now is trying to be as good as a dude and develop and get better. So when that happens, it’s easier [sic].”
While Davidson hasn’t fulfilled his fatherhood dream just yet, the comedian left Saturday Night Live after eight seasons earlier this year and is currently working on more movie projects such as Wizards!, set to be released next year.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by the devastating events of September 11, 2001.