Martin Short addresses the heartbreaking death of daughter Katherine: 'Nightmare for the family'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Martin Short has publicly spoken for the first time about the death of his daughter, Katherine Short. In an emotional interview, he described the loss as a “nightmare for the family,” reflecting on the devastating impact it has had on him and his loved ones.

Katherine died in February 2026, and Short shared that the family has been deeply affected while coping with grief and shock. He also spoke about the broader context of mental illness, describing it as a serious disease similar to cancer, noting that both can be terminal in nature. 

Katherine Short’s life and mental health struggles

During an appearance on CBS News’ 'Sunday Morning' on May 10, Short reflected on his daughter's long struggle with mental illness while speaking candidly about the family’s grief. “But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife's, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal,” he continued.

He further emphasized,  “And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she could until she couldn't.” The Los Angeles coroner confirmed that Katherine’s death was self-inflicted.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short, the 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,” the Short family said in a statement at the time.

Katherine worked in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and also part-time at Amae Health, where she provided community outreach, family support groups, peer support, and psychotherapy services. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006 before completing a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.

Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who were married for 30 years, adopted and raised three children together: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. Dolman died from ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58.

Martin Short reflects on devastating family losses that shaped his early life

Recently, Short also reflected on the personal loss and tragedy he experienced early in life during an appearance at the 'Netflix Is a Joke Presents: This Better Be Funny' with comedian David Letterman on Thursday, May 7.

Letterman also spoke about Short’s upcoming Netflix documentary film, 'Marty, Life Is Short,' and reflected on the hardships detailed in the project. “You came from a funny Irish Catholic family, and then suddenly your brother died in a car accident. And then your mother got cancer. And then your father died. That’s an incredible amount of loss very early,” he told Short.

Short replied, “Yeah, I was around 20. My older brother David died first. He was the star of the family. Then my mother was diagnosed with cancer at his funeral and died three years later. My father died the year after that.”

“So there was definitely a period where life changed completely,” added Short, noting that his mother, who was a violinist, was the first female concertmaster in North America and was "an extraordinary musician."

Short was just 12 years old when his brother died in a car accident, and he later lost both of his parents before turning 21, including his father, who worked as a steel executive.