Content Advisory: This article discusses suicide, mental health struggles, and family grief. Reader discretion is advised.
Martin Short is speaking publicly about the death of his daughter, Katherine Short.
The 76-year-old actor opened up during a May 10 appearance on ‘CBS News Sunday Morning’, describing Katherine’s death as “a nightmare for the family.” Katherine died by suicide in February at age 42.
Short spoke about her mental health with blunt compassion, comparing it to other serious illnesses that can become fatal.
“But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal,” he said.
He added, “And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she couldn’t until she couldn’t.”
Martin Short Says His Family Is Living Through A ‘Nightmare’
The Los Angeles coroner confirmed that Katherine died by suicide.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the Short family said in a statement at the time. “The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time.”
The family added, “Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. She also worked part-time at Amae Health, where she helped provide community outreach, family support groups, peer support, and psychotherapy.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006 before receiving a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.
Short Has Faced Major Family Loss Before
Martin adopted Katherine, Oliver, 40, and Henry, 36, with his late wife, Nancy Dolman.
Dolman died from ovarian cancer in 2010 at age 58 after 30 years of marriage to Short. In his comments, the actor connected both losses through the language of illness, grief, and survival.
Short is also the subject of the upcoming Netflix documentary ‘Marty, Life Is Short’, which premieres May 12.
The film, directed by Lawrence Kasdan and produced by Imagine Documentaries, will look at Short’s life, career, and decades in comedy. It is also expected to address the personal losses that have shaped him behind the public persona.
The documentary is dedicated to Katherine, along with actress Catherine O’Hara, who worked with Short for many years.
Short has spent much of his career making audiences laugh. His latest remarks show the private grief sitting behind that public life, and the brutal reality of a family still trying to understand an unbearable loss.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
