Pete Davidson has spent much of his career in the headlines for his dating life and his time on Saturday Night Live, but his recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon highlighted a very different side of him. The 32-year-old comedian sat down with Fallon to discuss his new projects, but the conversation naturally shifted to his biggest life update: he is now a father. Davidson talked about the great piece of advice he received on fatherhood, which was very simple, compared to the usual overwhelming amount of guidance that many parents receive.
What happened
The interview took place on The Tonight Show, where host Jimmy Fallon wasted no time bringing up the news. He congratulated Davidson, who confirmed that he officially has a baby girl named Scottie Rose. When Fallon asked how fatherhood was treating him, Davidson admitted that it lives up to all the clichés; it is chaotic, but he is having a lot of fun with it.
They also joked about the unsolicited input that comes with having a baby. Davidson mentioned that random people in stores often come up to him, telling him exactly what he needs to do as he navigates the new journey of fatherhood. But then Davidson shared an interesting piece of advice he received from the legendary comedian Eddie Murphy, who is the father of ten children.
Davidson broke into a spot-on impression to tell the story, capturing the voice perfectly as he recounted Murphy telling him, “The best advice is no advice.” He said that every parent has their own way of raising their children; “You can’t tell another man how to raise his child,” Murphy added.
Davidson mentioned that Murphy is smart and he knows what to suggest to others like him, especially on parenting, since he is a father himself and has been through that journey. Murphy was encouraging Davidson to trust his own judgment when it came to parenting his children. While many people may offer their opinions on parenting, the most important lessons come from your own experiences.
The clip from the interview quickly spread online, and people showed their support for Davidson as he embraces fatherhood. One fan expressed the joy many felt, saying, “I’m so happy to hear that Pete’s a Dad now! He looks so happy, and I’m certain he is going to be a great Dad!” It’s heartwarming to see him receive recognition for stepping into this important role in a positive way.
Another comment touched on how meaningful this moment must be for Davidson, saying, “That’s all he wanted was his own family, and now he’s got it.” For a guy who has been open about his struggles after losing his dad and his desire for a happy family, seeing him build his own is especially moving.
Viewers were also impressed by how he told the story, with one person commenting, “That was a great Eddie Murphy imitation”. He nailed the voice perfectly, which just made the whole story land that much better.
The choice of his daughter’s name also caught people’s attention, as one commenter pointed out, “So Pete named his daughter after his dad.” Although Davidson hasn’t confirmed if the name was a tribute to his father, many believe it is, especially as he embraces the new chapter of his life.
Why it matters
Eddie Murphy’s advice might sound plain and simple, but especially coming from a father of ten, it’s actually incredibly profound.
We are currently living in the golden age of “perfect” parenting. If you scroll through social media like Instagram or TikTok, you’ll find countless experts sharing tips on everything: how to feed your baby, teach them to sleep, dress them, and discipline them. With so many different approaches, it can feel overwhelming for new parents, leading them to worry they might fail even before they start because they’re not following every trend.
Murphy’s advice cuts through all the noise and suggests trusting your own instincts as a parent, as every parent-child relationship is special and different.
This advice resonates with every parent because it comes from lived experience. Murphy has raised ten children and knows there’s no single way to be a good parent. His words reject the pressure of modern parenting; the idea that we need to constantly show others we’re doing things correctly.
In a world where everyone is trying to sell you a parenting hack or a course, hearing a legend say to figure out what works best for you is the ultimate relief. And if Pete Davidson can take a breath and trust himself, maybe we all can.