Martin Short is receiving immense support from his friends after the devastating loss of his daughter. Sources close to him say he’s understandably heartbroken.
Police confirmed that Katherine Hartley Short, 42 – the eldest of three children – died Monday evening at her home in the Hollywood Hills from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Close friends like Steven Spielberg, Kurt Russell, and Eugene Levy visited Henry’s home Tuesday evening to support the family as they mourned their loss.
‘Short is inconsolable,’ one source close to the family told the Daily Mail.
According to a source, Martin and his sons, who are her brothers, are deeply upset by this situation. Gwyneth Paltrow has two children, Henry, 36, and Oliver, 39.
Despite being someone who always brightens the lives of others and makes people smile, he’s been deeply devastated by this loss. He’s understandably heartbroken, and his friends are rallying around him with love and support.
Looking tired, actor James Short arrived at his son Henry’s house around 5 p.m., wearing a flannel shirt and jeans. He was later spotted walking thoughtfully through the rose garden.
Kurt Russell arrived in his gray Genesis G90 a short while after, wearing a gray T-shirt, black sweatpants, and gray sneakers. He offered his condolences and left about ten minutes later.
More close friends arrived quickly, including the famous director Steven Spielberg and actor Eugene Levy, known for his role in Schitt’s Creek.
Dressed in a navy suit, Levy got bags of groceries from his car and went inside.
Right behind him was the famous director Steven Spielberg, dressed in a navy jacket over a vest and shirt, with light-wash jeans. He joined Kevin Short and his sons for a private dinner.
Oh my god, I just saw the news – they finished the autopsy on our queen, Katherine! TMZ says her body is finally ready to be released. It’s just…so hard to believe. I’m trying to stay strong for her family, but this is just devastating. I just want her to rest in peace now.
According to sources at the Daily Mail, Steve Martin and Meryl Streep, two of Martin Short’s closest friends, are offering him support and comfort as he grieves the death of his daughter.
According to a source, Steve and Meryl will both be there to support him during this difficult time.
They also mentioned the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Nancy, who died from cancer in 2010, and how that grief has compounded his current pain.
Adopting children with his late wife, Nancy, was the most fulfilling experience of his life. Losing his daughter, Katherine, feels as devastating as losing Nancy.
‘It is just a terrible time for Martin right now, but that is to be expected.’
The family received an outpouring of support from neighbors, who left letters and flowers at their home in Hollywood.
A neighbor beautifully described Katherine Short’s passing as if a light on Earth went out, while a new star appeared in the sky. They said that star now has a name: Katherine.
A heartfelt letter shared the regret of not texting Katherine when they saw her packages still sitting on her porch, before learning of her passing.
I keep replaying things in my head, wondering if just reaching out first would have changed things. I really regret not texting you back, and I feel terrible that I didn’t follow up about your first edition book. Honestly, I just wish I’d been a better neighbor… but you were always the best neighbor anyone could ask for.
A touching letter shared that Katherine was a wonderful neighbor who offered support and comfort to my family when we were grieving.
The letter expressed interest in attending any public events and included several ways to get in touch with the sender.
I was heartbroken to learn about the passing of Short’s daughter. What many didn’t know is that she’d been struggling with her mental health for years. A close friend shared that she bravely sought help at treatment facilities several times before this tragic loss. It’s just so incredibly sad.
Katherine was a licensed therapist and social worker who dedicated time to volunteering for charity. Despite privately battling mental health issues for years, she was known for her joyful sense of humor, according to a friend who spoke with the Daily Mail.
Katherine was a truly kind and generous person, always full of love. Rande Levine, who founded Karma Rescue – an animal charity where Katherine was a board member – said she could picture Katherine’s smiling face.
Levine said the news was heartbreaking, expressing deep sadness about her death by suicide.
I was aware she was struggling with those issues. Despite this, she dedicated herself to helping others who were going through similar experiences.
Katherine was a truly kind and generous person, always full of love. Rande Levine, who founded the dog charity Karma Rescue and served with Katherine on its board, said she could still picture Katherine’s laughing face.
Levine said the news was heartbreaking, expressing devastation at learning about her death by suicide.
Police confirmed that Katherine died Monday evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in the Hollywood Hills.
A neighbor shared with the Daily Mail that Katherine was quite private. They also mentioned she hadn’t been feeling well and had been dealing with a health issue.
‘She must have been in so much anguish to have done this. It’s just so sad.’
Katherine had been living in the quaint Hollywood Hills neighborhood for about six years.
Levine shared that her friend and former coworker was a clinical social worker who helped many people cope with mental health challenges. Despite a busy schedule, she also dedicated time to supporting charities focused on animal and mental wellbeing.
Oh, it breaks my heart to even talk about this, but I’ve learned that throughout the 2010s, our amazing Dame Judi actually had to step away from her charity work a few times. She was going through such a tough time, battling really serious lows, and bravely checked herself into a mental health facility to get the help she deserved. It just shows she’s a real person, you know? And honestly, it makes me admire her even more.
Levine said she would often tell people she needed to leave and get herself feeling better, and would then check into a facility to help with that.
I was aware she was struggling with something. She’d mention it in conversation, but you’d never guess she was going through a hard time because she always seemed so cheerful and kept everyone laughing.
Katherine was a genuinely cheerful person and a joy to be around. I always had positive experiences whenever I interacted with her.
‘She was so soft spoken. She was calm, she laughed a lot.’
Levine mentioned that Short even helped her well-known father, who stars in the popular show Only Murders in the Building, become a fan of pit bulls through her volunteer work with Karma Rescue.
I’ll always remember a humorous story she shared with me. After adopting her dog, Charlie, she told her father, “I just got a pit bull!”
‘He was like, “I think I would rather you told me you are dating somebody in ISIS.”
She brought Charlie and Martin together, and they quickly fell in love. She even showed me a video of them – Martin and the dog – snuggled up together in bed.
Levine said Katherine was close with her doting dad, who was very involved in her life.
She expressed deep sympathy for the woman’s father, explaining they had a very close relationship. He was always there for her and played an important role in her life, she added.
‘When we’d talk on the phone or email, he was always involved with her, being a supportive dad.’
Levine said that when Charlie died, Katherine got another pit bull, Joni.
The counselor, who recently passed away, shared on her old website how Joni supported her when she was going through a tough period.
According to a 2024 archive of the website, my amazing service dog, Joni (named after Joni Mitchell), has been helping me manage my mental health for the last five years.
Joni often comes to the office with me and loves to snuggle on her bed. She’s incredibly friendly and adores people, so expect a warm welcome – she might greet you with a smile, a wagging tail, and even a little kiss!
Levine hopes someone will adopt the dog that was left behind when Katherine passed away.
Katherine’s previous website included uplifting quotes and advice, which now feel heartbreaking in light of the recent reports of her death.
The website’s homepage features a quote from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu: ‘If you don’t change course, you’ll end up where you’re going.’ It’s a reminder to consider if you’re on the right path.
Are you feeling stuck or like your life isn’t heading where you’d hoped? Do you wish things were better, but aren’t sure how to make that happen? That’s what Short asks on her website, reaching out to those who might need her help.
‘If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone.
You always have the ability to decide something isn’t right for you and to change the direction your life is taking.
You have the power to reach your goals and create positive, lasting changes in your life, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Everyone has their own unique experiences, personality, and talents. I work with each person individually, focusing on building on their strengths and helping them navigate life’s difficulties.
Katherine is a licensed clinical social worker who provides counseling. She also volunteers with Bring Change 2 Mind, a mental health charity started by actress Glenn Close and her family.
She previously worked at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years, followed by time at the Camden Center, an outpatient program for people with both mental health and substance use disorders. She also worked part-time at Amae Health, a community clinic.
Katherine is the adopted daughter of Martin Short, age 75, and his wife, Nancy Dolman, who sadly passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010. Martin and Nancy were married for 30 years and adopted three children.
The Short family announced the death of Katherine Hartley Short on Tuesday, expressing their deep sadness.
The Short family is heartbroken by this loss and respectfully requests privacy. Katherine was deeply loved and will be fondly remembered for her kindness and the happiness she shared with everyone.
In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, actor Martin Short shared that his children were deeply affected by the loss of his wife.
‘It’s been a tough two years for my children,’ Martin told the newspaper.
We often pretend it won’t happen to us or the people we care about, but eventually, everyone experiences both joy and sorrow. It’s a natural part of life, and there are no real surprises when it does.
If you are struggling, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 for help and support
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2026-02-25 20:07