Heartbreaking story behind Pete Davidson’s 8418 tattoo

Pete Davidson was once one of Hollywood’s most-tatted men but has been on an arduous journey to remove his body art for the last four years.

At one point, it's said the 31-year-old had over 100 tattoos, including tributes to ex-girlfriends Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian, as well as multiple nods to Harry Potter.

But in May 2021, Davidson revealed being cast in blockbuster films had caused him to pursue tat removal.

Pete Davidson had many tattoos before embarking on an arduous removal process (Steven Ferdman/WireImage)

During an appearance on Seth Meyers’ Last Night show, he claimed he’d been forced to show up to set three hours early just so make-up artists could get him ready to go on set.

“I didn’t think that they would put me in stuff - like the movie business. I thought after SNL, it’s a wrap,” he told the host.

“It takes like three hours - you have to get there three hours earlier to cover all your tattoos, because for some reason, people in movies, they don’t have them that much.”

But while many of the tats Davidson’s had or plans to get ‘burned off’ commemorate milestone moments - like his and Miley Cyrus’ matching ‘WE BABIES’ art - some are much more sentimental.

Particularly the ‘8418’ one, situated on his left arm.

Fans of the former Saturday Night Live star will already be aware that ‘8418’ was actually the badge number of his late father, Scott Davidson.

Davidson Snr. was a firefighter who died during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Bodies Bodies Bodies actor was just seven at the time of his dad’s death.

Davidson has never shied away from speaking about his father’s passing. During an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, he revealed he and his mother, Amy Davidson, had made a donation to Answer the Call in his dad’s name.

The comedian said: “Answer The Call is the fund that helped my family when my dad passed.

Davidson's 8418 tattoo was a tribute to his late father, Scott Davidson (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

“It helps for firefighters and EMS workers that passed away in the line of duty and it helps out their families.”

In a separate interview, he explained: “I don’t let a lot of people know about my dad dying on 9/11. It’s not a way to introduce yourself.

“So I never told anybody, and then I would do jokes about it and I think people thought I was lying about it. Which would be crazy!”

As well as the ‘8418’ ink, Davidson had an 11 on the backside of his left ear, as well as a firefighter tattoo on his bicep.

Due to his ongoing tattoo removal process, it’s unknown whether these three tattoos are still visible.