Martin Short says late daughter Katherine battled ‘a long time with extreme mental health’

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According to comedian Martin Short, his daughter Katherine fought a brave battle with mental health challenges, doing everything she could until it became impossible.

Comedian Steve Martin, known for his roles in “Only Murders in the Building” and “Father of the Bride,” recently shared the heartbreaking news of his daughter’s passing in February with “CBS Sunday Morning.” Having previously experienced the loss of his parents, brother, and wife, Nancy Dolman, Martin described the recent tragedy as “a nightmare for the family.”

Katherine Short, a 42-year-old social worker, died by suicide on February 23rd. Her family confirmed her passing and shared that they were heartbroken by the loss, remembering her as a joyful and beloved person.

Martin Short told CBS News’ Tracy Smith that facing loss at a young age helped him develop the resilience and stage presence he’s known for. He explained that these early experiences built a ‘muscle’ for coping with grief and gaining perspective.

Entertainment & Arts

Comedian Martin Short has delayed his upcoming performances following the unexpected death of his daughter, Katherine Short, a social worker in Los Angeles, who was 42 years old.

He later reflected on a personal loss, saying that dealing with something truly difficult makes criticism from an audience seem insignificant.

It’s been incredibly tough, losing my wife Nancy to ovarian cancer 30 years ago, and then, almost 16 years later, losing my daughter. It feels like a nightmare, honestly. But through all the pain, I’ve somehow started to find a sense of peace and understanding with everything that’s happened. It’s not easy, but I’m getting there.

He explained that both mental health conditions and cancer, like his wife’s illness, are diseases, and sometimes those diseases are fatal. He also shared that his daughter struggled for a long time with severe mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder.

He also recalled his daughter’s final words to him: “Dad, let me go.”

Awards

The beloved comedian recently sat down with The Envelope to talk about the performers he admired growing up, his experiences collaborating with Steve Martin and Selena Gomez, and other topics.

Short shared with Smith that his two young grandsons are the reason he keeps working, bringing laughter and happiness even while dealing with sadness. He emphasized that it’s important to persevere through tough times, and that true strength lies in being able to do so.

He added: “You head for the light.”

Following the death of his daughter, Martin Short stepped back from work for a time. He recently appeared in public again at the Los Angeles premiere of his new documentary, “Marty, Life Is Short,” accompanied by his sons Oliver, 40, and Henry, 36. He was also joined on the red carpet by filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan, his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Selena Gomez, and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.

“Marty, Life Is Short” premieres Tuesday on Netflix.

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2026-05-11 22:01