Pete Davidson Opens Up About Family Trauma During Comedy Set

During a comedy performance in New Jersey, Pete Davidson shared a shocking personal story about his family. He revealed that his maternal grandfather was physically abusive toward him and expressed relief that his grandfather is now terminally ill with lung cancer.

Addressing the audience, Davidson said, “He used to beat the s**t out of me, and I don’t like him very much.” He also shared that he was “low-key thrilled” about his grandfather’s condition, stating, “I’m like, die slow motherf–er,” adding that his grandfather’s struggles with emphysema make his breathing difficult. Despite the harsh feelings, Davidson emphasized his desire to support his mother, Amy Davidson, who’s “sad” about her father’s illness, describing her as the “best mom in the world” and reflecting on cherishable memories with his grandfather.

He commented on his upbringing, describing his childhood as difficult, especially after losing his father, Scott Davidson, a New York City firefighter who died during the September 11 attacks. Davidson reflected on his past attitude, saying, “I’ve just been like, ‘F–k it. Who the f–k cares?’” but now feels he has adopted a healthier perspective, focusing on family and close friends rather than external pressures.

His performance at the Prudential Center in Newark was part of the North to Shore Festival, an event also featuring comedians Jon Stewart and John Mulaney. Davidson, 31, has been outspoken about his challenging childhood and trauma, which he discussed in previous interviews.

In addition to his personal struggles, Davidson recently made headlines for a costly purchase—dropping nearly $31,000 on matching Rolex watches for himself and his girlfriend, model Elsie Hewitt, during the grand opening of a watch and jewelry showroom in Staten Island.

He and Hewitt have been dating since March, strengthening his message about prioritizing meaningful relationships over superficial pressures. Davidson emphasized the importance of family and friends, stating, “Everybody else can go f–k themselves,” and encouraging others to focus on what truly matters.