Most people only know the name Scott Matthew Davidson because of his son, Pete. You’ve seen the tattoos, heard the jokes on SNL, or watched the semi-autobiographical The King of Staten Island. But focusing solely on the celebrity connection misses the mark on who Scott actually was. He wasn’t just a tragic backstory for a famous comedian. He was a guy who loved Christmas lights, played high-level basketball, and worked three jobs to make ends meet in New York City.
Scott was a firefighter. He was a father. He was a guy who, by all accounts, was the "life of the party" in that specific, gritty Staten Island sort of way. When we talk about heroes, we usually stick to the glossy, postcard version. The reality of Scott’s life was much more interesting and human.
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The Life Scott Matthew Davidson Built Before the Towers
Long before he joined the FDNY, Scott was an athlete. He didn't just play basketball; he lived it. He stood out at St. Joseph-by-the-Sea High School and eventually became the captain of the team at the College of Staten Island. People who played with him remember a "fierce competitor." He wasn't the tallest guy on the court, but he had that "gym rat" energy. He earned a bachelor's degree in history, which feels like a detail most people forget. He wasn't just "muscle"; he was a student of the world.
To keep things running at home for his wife, Amy, and their two kids, Pete and Casey, Scott was always on the move. He didn't just pull shifts at the firehouse. He worked as a bartender. He worked as a substitute teacher at I.S. 49. It’s that classic New York hustle. You do what you have to do.
One of the best stories about him involves his nickname: "Christmas Boy." Seriously. The guy loved the holidays so much he once strung Christmas lights all over his car. When a friend told him it was probably a fire hazard to wire lights directly to a car battery, Scott didn't argue. He just reached into the back seat, shuffled through a pile of sweaty basketball gear, and pulled out a fire extinguisher. Basically, he was saying, "I'm a pro, I've got this."
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September 11 and Ladder Company 118
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Scott was on duty. When the second plane hit the South Tower, his unit—Ladder Company 118 based in Brooklyn Heights—responded. There is a famous photograph taken that day of a fire truck crossing the Brooklyn Bridge toward the Twin Towers. Scott was on that truck.
He was last seen running up the stairs of the Marriott World Trade Center. He was 33 years old.
For the Davidson family, the weeks following the attacks were a blur of "not knowing." Pete has talked about how his mom initially told him his dad was just "at work" or "coming home soon." The reality of the situation didn't sink in for a while. There was this period of agonizing hope that maybe he was just trapped in the rubble. Eventually, that hope turned into a Requiem Mass at St. Clare’s Catholic Church.
Why We Are Still Talking About Him in 2026
It’s been over two decades, but the name Scott Matthew Davidson has recently surged back into the public consciousness for a very personal reason. In late 2025, Pete Davidson welcomed his first child, a daughter. He named her Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson.
It’s a heavy thing, carrying a name like that. But it shows how much Scott’s presence still looms over his family. Pete has often said that if his dad hadn't died, he’d probably just be a happy construction worker on Staten Island. The trauma of losing Scott is what pushed him into comedy as a defense mechanism. It’s a bittersweet trade-off.
The Real Impact on the Firefighting Community
Scott isn't just a name on a memorial wall. His legacy lives on through:
- The Answer the Call Fund: Pete and his mother, Amy, have been vocal supporters of this organization, which provides financial assistance to the families of fallen NYC first responders.
- Ladder 118’s History: The story of the "Brooklyn Bridge Truck" is taught to new recruits as a symbol of the FDNY’s ultimate sacrifice.
- Mental Health Awareness: By being so open about the "messy" parts of grief—like Pete's struggles in school and his mental health battles—the Davidsons have humanized the experience of 9/11 families in a way few others have.
Living With the "Hero" Label
Honestly, it’s gotta be weird for the family. You want to remember your dad as the guy who coached your baseball team and made bad jokes, but the rest of the world sees him as a symbol of national tragedy.
Scott was a guy of Jewish, German, Irish, and Italian descent—a true New York melting pot. He loved American flags and Heineken. He was "unabashedly patriotic" before it was a political statement. He was just a guy who liked his job and loved his kids.
If you want to honor the memory of people like Scott Matthew Davidson, don't just look at the statues. Look at the organizations that actually help the families left behind.
How You Can Actually Help
If you’re moved by Scott’s story or the stories of the 341 other FDNY members lost that day, here is how to take action:
- Support the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund: Also known as Answer the Call, this is the specific group that helped the Davidson family when they were at their lowest.
- Visit the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial: If you’re ever in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Scott’s name is there. It’s a quiet place that puts the scale of sacrifice into perspective.
- Check in on a First Responder: Sometimes the best way to honor the dead is to support the living. The "hero" narrative often prevents people from asking firefighters or EMTs how they are actually doing.
Scott didn't set out to be a household name. He set out to go to work and come home to Staten Island. While he never made it back across the bridge that day, the way his family has kept his spirit alive—not as a saint, but as a real, funny, flawed human being—is perhaps the greatest tribute of all.
Next Steps for You: You can research more about the history of Ladder 118 or find out how to get involved with the Answer the Call fund to support the families of New York's bravest.