Martin Short has spoken publicly for the first time about the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, describing the tragedy as “a nightmare” for their family.
The beloved comedian and actor revealed that his daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, died in February at the age of 42 after a long struggle with serious mental health challenges.
During an emotional interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Short compared mental illness to the cancer battle faced by his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010. He explained that, in his view, both are illnesses that can sometimes become terminal despite a person’s best efforts.
Short shared that Katherine had battled severe mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, for many years and worked hard to cope with them for as long as she could.
The actor said he decided to speak openly about the loss in hopes of supporting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding suicide. He highlighted the work of Glenn Close’s organization Bring Change to Mind, which focuses on encouraging honest conversations about mental illness.
According to Short, people should not feel ashamed to discuss suicide or mental health struggles, adding that he believes suicide can sometimes represent the final stage of a devastating illness.
The Emmy-winning performer also reflected on the many personal tragedies he has faced throughout his life. When he was just 12 years old, his older brother died in a car accident. A few years later, he lost both of his parents — his mother to cancer and his father shortly afterward.
Short explained that those early experiences helped shape his perspective on grief and survival, teaching him how to endure profound loss while continuing to celebrate the people he loved.
Katherine was one of three children adopted by Short and Dolman. She built a career as a licensed clinical social worker after earning a master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Her death deeply affected her father and brothers, Oliver and Henry.
Reflecting on his daughter’s passing, Short drew a poignant comparison to the final moments he shared with his wife during her battle with ovarian cancer. He recalled Dolman telling him, “Marty, let me go,” and said he now feels Katherine was expressing something similar in her own way.
The actor has endured multiple losses in recent months. He also mourned the deaths of close friends and longtime collaborators, including Catherine O’Hara, who appears in his upcoming documentary Marty: Life Is Short. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the documentary explores Short’s life and career through archival footage, personal home videos, and interviews with friends and co-stars.
Short discussed his personal losses while promoting the documentary ahead of its release on Netflix on May 12.
