Martin Short is breaking his silence after the devastating loss of his daughter, Katherine, in February. In a heartfelt reflection, the comedian talked about grief, heartbreak, and how his experiences affected his perspective in life. Despite enduring painful moments, the actor continues to find strength through family, memories, and the support of those closest to him as he moves forward.
Martin Short is publicly talking about his daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Short, for the first time since she took her own life in February. In a conversation with CBS News‘ Tracy Smith, the 76-year-old comedian said the loss “has been a nightmare for the family.”
“But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal,” Short said, adding that Katherine, who was struggling with her mental health and was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, “fought for a long time.” The actor explained that Katherine “did the best she could until she couldn’t.”
Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, adopted three children, Katherine being the eldest and the only girl.
Katherine Elizabeth Short’s Tragic Death
On February 23, 2026, Katherine died by suicide at 42 years old. Her family issued a statement a couple of days later confirming her passing. “The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world,” it read.
Following her death, some of her friends shared the struggles she faced privately, as previously reported by The Blast. One of her friends, Rande Levine, explained how Katherine sought treatment for her mental struggles and openly talked about it with her closest friends. However, she kept up an appearance in front of others. “You would never know based on how she presented herself, and how funny she was,” Levine shared.
Martin Short On Losing His Wife To Cancer
Short also talked about the loss of his wife, Nancy, who died from ovarian cancer in 2010 at 58 years old. The actor described his late wife as edgy and funny, saying that their relationship was “an equal ping pong match.” The couple married in 1980, and in his 2014 autobiography, he wrote that he felt “love at first sight” upon meeting Nancy.
At the time of her death, Nancy had been battling cancer for about three years, and Short recalled her final moments. “So, Nan’s last words to me were, ‘Martin, let me go,’” the actor shared.
Short said he didn’t work as much when they learned of Nancy’s diagnosis, but he was in the series “Damages” months before her death. No one knew that he was struggling, and he would go into his dressing room to compose himself before facing other people. “You know, that’s what you have to do,” he said.
The Actor Has Experienced Multiple Losses
At a panel for “Netflix is a Joke Presents: This Better Be Funny with David Letterman,” Letterman asked him about the earlier tragedies in his life, pointing out how Short lost his brother, mother, and father before the age of 21.
Short’s older brother, David, died in a car accident in 1962. “Then my mother was diagnosed with cancer at his funeral and died three years later,” Short said, adding that his father died a year later from a stroke. “There was definitely a period where life changed completely,” he said.
The comedian told CBS News that dealing with loss changed the way he looked at life. “What it developed in me was this muscle of survival and handling grief and a perspective on it,” adding that it helped him develop a thicker skin on stage. “I think if you’ve gone through that, an audience not liking you is really not that important anymore,” he explained.
Martin Short Moves Forward Amid Tragedy
Short shared a realization he had while driving to visit his son, Oliver, who has been temporarily living in Newport Beach after his home was lost in the Los Angeles fires. The actor questioned why he’s still doing the things he does at 75 years old. As he arrived at his son’s home, his grandchildren enthusiastically greeted him, urging him to play with them. “And suddenly you go, ‘Oh, that’s why. That’s why. Okay,’” he said
Elsewhere in the interview, Short said that many people have to do things and move on despite difficult times, just as he does. “I’ve just been in that situation many times. You head for the light,” he shared.
