Martin Short is facing perhaps one of the most difficult phases of his life as he comes to accept the reality that his eldest daughter, Katherine, is dead. Losing a child is any parent’s worst nightmare, and nothing truly compares to the bottomless void it creates. However, this was not the first pang of heartbreak for the 75-year-old star of Only Murders in the Building. Decades before Katherine, Short had to learn to live with the agony of losing the love of his life, his wife, Nancy Dolman.
Behind the comedian’s ever-present smile and comics, there is a man who has been shattered but learned to pick himself up and be the best parent to his children, who also lost their mother. Take a look at Martin Short’s life with Nancy Dolman and how he learned to cope with the reality of becoming a single dad after losing her.
Martin Short’s love story with Nancy Dolman began with a tennis date proposal
Martin Short’s romance with Nancy Dolman began in 1972 when they met while performing in a Toronto production of Godspell. For Martin, it was love at first sight. In his memoir, I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, he recalled being instantly struck by Nancy’s beauty. At the time, he was in a relationship with future Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner. But after that chapter ended, fate eventually brought Martin and Nancy back to each other.
Nancy Dolman was already an established star thanks to her stage shows in 70s and her work in the popular TV show, Soap, where she played the role of ‘Annie Selig Tate’ from 1980 to 1981. She went on to be a part of It’s a Living and Family in Blue. It was Martin who made the first move, asking her out on a tennis datewhich marked the beginning of their whirlwind romance. The couple married in 1980, a union Martin would later describe as a “triumph.” Soon after, Nancy chose to step away from her acting career to focus on building their family together.
Building a loving family of five
Martin Short and Nancy went on to build a family together, adopting three children: Katherine Elizabeth in 1983, Oliver Patrick in 1986, and Henry Hayter in 1989. Unlike their famous father, none of them chose a life in the spotlight. Katherine pursued a career in social work, Oliver works behind the scenes in the film industry, and Henry became a veterinary assistant. For years, they shared a close and peaceful family life. However, tragedy struck the happy family and changed their lives forever. In 2010, after 30 years of marriage, Nancy Dolman passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer, leaving Martin and their children heartbroken.
What Martin Short said about the ‘tough’ phase of raising his children as a single father
In a 2019 interview with AARP, Short shared candid insights into his lesser-known life and the initial struggles of raising his three children after losing Nancy. The Canadian comedy star revealed how he dealt with his wife’s loss and continued to keep her alive in his thoughts through decision, especially regarding the kids. He said:
“Our marriage was a triumph. So it’s tough. She died in 2010, but I still communicate with her all the time. It’s ‘Hey Nan,’ you know? How would she react to this decision or that, especially regarding our three kids?”
Speaking about the reality of life, the actor mentioned in the interview how death is very much a part of life, and when someone leaves the mortal body behind, it doesn’t mean the spirit goes away. Short believes that loved ones should be spoken of, even after their death, to truly keep the memories alive and learn to make peace with the reality, picking oneself up. He shared his philosophy and how it helped him take greater risks:
“I believe that when people die, they zoom into the people that love them. This idea that it just ends, and don’t speak of them — that’s wrong. That’s based on denial that we’re all going to die. So to me, she’s still here. At the same time, her death emboldened me to take risks. With real tragedy, you become a little more daring. It’s the yin to the yang: the positive part of life’s dark side.”
Nancy Dolman’s funeral was a close-knit family party
“(Nancy) had once said to me, ‘I don’t want a funeral, and I don’t want a memorial. Throw a party, or not.’ She just was so irritated that she was losing this battle; she didn’t want to think about it. So I just followed her wishes. We went up, we had a party with about 30 close friends and family. She was cremated. The kids and I went into a boat, we sprinkled the ashes into the water, and we jumped into the ashes.”
While it has been 15 years since her demise, Martin Short has not remarried. According to him, his marriage was extraordinary, and he still feels her presence and influence in his daily life that can’t be diminished.
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman’s eldest daughter, Katherine, dies by possible suicide
Katherine Elizabeth Short, the eldest daughter of Martin and Nancy, was born on December 3, 1983. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender and sexuality studies, and later earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. After graduation, she worked for more than four years at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, later joining a dual diagnosis outpatient program at the Camden Centre.
The tragic news of Katherine’s passing at age 42 was reported in late February 2026. Multiple online reports state that on February 23, 2026, a call was placed to the Los Angeles Police Department from a residence in the Hollywood Hills regarding a possible suicide.
Martin Short has experienced both profound love and heartbreaking loss, along with the deep sorrow that follows. But if life has taught him one thing, it is to cherish the lost and keep them forever alive in memories.
Also Read: Who Are Martin Short’s Three Children? Know All About Late Daughter, Katherine, Oliver, And Henry
