Martin Short Discusses Coping with Daughter’s Death

Martin Short recently opened up about the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, Katherine Short. During his appearance on “CBS Sunday Morning” on May 10, the 76-year-old actor reflected on how he and his family are handling the aftermath of Katherine’s death, which was ruled a suicide in February at the age of 42. Katherine was the daughter of Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who passed away in 2010 after facing ovarian cancer.

Short described the tragedy, saying, “It was a nightmare for the family.” He drew parallels between Katherine’s struggles with mental health—particularly her battle with borderline personality disorder—and his late wife’s battles with cancer, emphasizing that both are serious illnesses, sometimes terminal.

According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, Katherine died from “gunshot wounds” at her home. A representative for the family confirmed her passing, stating, “The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”

In the wake of his daughter’s death, Short has postponed performances on his comedy tour with Steve Martin. Katherine was the oldest of their three children, with two sons, Oliver and Henry. Before her untimely passing, Katherine studied psychology at New York University and earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. She was a licensed clinical social worker, actively involved in mental health advocacy and community outreach.

Despite a career filled with laughter and joy, Short has not shied away from discussing the profound personal grief he has faced throughout his life. He endured multiple family tragedies early on, including the loss of his brother in a car accident and the deaths of his parents shortly after.

Reflecting on his experience, Short has remarked that grief is not something that simply vanishes but evolves over time. He noted, “It’s tough. I still keep in touch with her.” He believes that the relationships we cherish continue in some form after death, challenging the notion that loss should silence the memories of those we love.