Martin Short: A Lifetime of Laughs, Craft and Recent Loss

Martin Short is one of North America’s most durable comic voices, a performer whose work spans sketch television, Hollywood comedy, Broadway and prestige streaming. Born Martin Hayter Short on March 26, 1950 in Hamilton, Ontario, he rose from the Toronto improv scene to international fame on SCTV and Saturday Night Live, and, at 75, remains in the public eye for his role on Only Murders in the Building and a national tour with longtime collaborator Steve Martin. This profile looks at his life, his craft, recent news affecting his family, and where he stands now.

Early life and the making of a comic

Short grew up in Hamilton in a large Irish Catholic family, the youngest of five, and first trained in theatre and social work at McMaster University. He moved into professional theatre and sketch comedy in the 1970s, joining The Second City in Toronto and appearing in the seminal Godspell company that also included Gilda Radner and Paul Shaffer. That early immersion in ensemble improvisation shaped the elastic, character-driven style that would become his trademark.

Career milestones

Short’s career has been unusually varied, and productive, across media. Highlights include television sketch work on SCTV, a high-profile stint on Saturday Night Live, film roles in Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride, and stage triumphs on Broadway. In recent years, television audiences rediscovered him playing Oliver Putnam on the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, a part that earned him renewed critical notice and awards recognition. He has also toured extensively with Steve Martin, blending stand-up, music and sketch into live shows that draw loyal crowds.

Career timeline table

Key statistics: Born March 26, 1950, Tony Award winner, multiple Emmy nominations and two Emmy wins during a career that now spans more than five decades.

Comedy has been both his instrument and his refuge, a way to keep working and to keep connecting with people.

Style, craft and critical perspectives

Observers of Short’s work point to several defining traits: a mastery of physical comedy and facial expression, a chameleonic approach to character, and an ability to deploy high-energy absurdism without losing emotional access to the audience. Fans celebrate his range, from the squeaky-voiced Ed Grimley to the grotesque interviewer Jiminy Glick, while some critics note that the breadth of his persona work can make it harder to pin down a single signature performance. Taken together, his work reads as a study in generosity, the comic willing to be ridiculous so his scene partners and the audience can laugh along.

Awards and honors

Across stage and screen, Short has been honored repeatedly. His work on SCTV earned Emmy recognition for writing, he won a Tony in 1999 for Little Me, and he has been nominated many times across major awards bodies for both comedy and dramatic turns. He has also received official honors in Canada, including an appointment to the Order of Canada, recognizing his cultural contributions.

Late-career renaissance: Only Murders in the Building and awards momentum

Only Murders in the Building, co-starring Steve Martin and Selena Gomez, brought Short into a new constellation of viewers and critics. The show’s blend of mystery and gentle satire suited his comic persona, and industry recognition followed, including ensemble and acting honors. That renaissance is also evident onstage, where his touring shows with Steve Martin continue to sell strongly, proving the market for live, intergenerational comedy remains healthy.

Personal life, family and the recent tragedy

Short married actress Nancy Dolman in 1980; the couple adopted three children, Katherine, Oliver and Henry. Dolman died in 2010. On February 24, 2026, Short’s family confirmed the death of his eldest adopted daughter, Katherine Short, who was 42. Reports indicate she was a licensed clinical social worker and had worked in mental health outreach. The family has asked for privacy. Following the death, Short postponed upcoming tour dates, a decision made public as he and his family managed their grief.

Public reaction and multiple viewpoints

Fans and colleagues have offered an outpouring of sympathy and respect for Short’s work and for the family’s privacy. Critics and cultural commentators have used the moment to reflect on the often hidden pressures that accompany public life, and to highlight mental health support and awareness. Observers who know Short professionally emphasize his resilience and his reputation as a warm, collaborative performer, while some cultural writers use the occasion to situate his late-career success within wider conversations about how legacy performers adapt to streaming-era prestige television.

Current projects and the tour

At the time of writing, Short was scheduled to appear on a multi-city tour with Steve Martin, which blends stand-up, music and conversation. In the immediate aftermath of his daughter’s death, several performances were postponed to allow him and his family time. The tour itself is part of a long collaborative thread connecting the two comedians, who have worked together since the 1980s in film, television and live performance.

Influence and legacy

Short’s influence shows up in the work of character comedians who prize theatricality and risk. His career demonstrates how a performer can move between mediums while maintaining a recognizable comic voice. Whether through a small-screen cameo or a full evening of live performance, Short has kept evolving, choosing projects that let his particular brand of exuberance and vulnerability shine.

Looking ahead

Professionally, Short remains active, with television, recorded specials and live dates in circulation, and with audiences who continue to respond to his combination of craft and mischief. Personally, he and his family face a painful interval, and the outpouring of public support has been both immediate and heartfelt. How he balances public work and private mourning will be watched closely, as fans and colleagues hope for time and space for recovery.

Further context and resources

For readers seeking immediate support on topics raised in this piece, mental health hotlines and local crisis services are recommended. Public figures and their families sometimes ask for privacy during grief, and that request is common and understandable.

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Martin Short’s life is both a record of comic invention and a reminder that public careers run alongside private lives. At 75, he remains a creative presence capable of surprising audiences, while recent events underscore the human challenges that can accompany even the most celebrated lives. As colleagues and fans wait for his return to the stage, his body of work stands as a reminder of the durability of craft, and the way laughter and humanity often travel together.

— David Anderson, veteran journalist