Martin Short's daughter Katherine dies at 42 — martin short family statement
martin short’s family has confirmed the death of his daughter, Katherine Hartley Short. The family said it is “with profound grief” that they confirm her passing and asked for privacy while mourning.
Family statement and immediate reaction
A representative released a statement saying: "It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short 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 statement described the family as devastated and requesting privacy.
Discovery and official timeline
Katherine, 42, was found dead at her Hollywood Hills home on Monday. One account placed her discovery at around 6pm that evening; emergency personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the fire department responded to the home shortly after 6: 40 PM PT and found her deceased. The death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and is being described as an apparent suicide.
Education and social work career
Katherine earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University in 2006 in psychology and gender sexuality studies and later received a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. She worked as a social worker in Los Angeles, including in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and part-time at a clinic providing community outreach, peer support and psychotherapy.
Charity work and public presence
Katherine was involved with a nonprofit organization called Bring Change To Mind and also worked with Bring Change 2 Mind. The organization aims to "empower young people to build connected, empathetic and supportive school communities where conversations about mental health are welcome and stigma-free" and works to break down stigmas connected to mental health issues. Although her father is well known, Katherine mostly stayed out of the public eye and attended only a few events with him over the years; she was last seen in January 2020 outside Craig’s, a world-famous restaurant in West Hollywood.
Family background and past losses
Katherine was the eldest of Martin Short’s three children and was one of three children adopted by Short and his then-wife, Nancy Dolman. Katherine and her younger brothers, Henry and Oliver, were adopted by Short and Dolman. Nancy Dolman first met Short in 1972 while working together on a production of Godspell; they married in 1980 and Dolman died in 2010 from ovarian cancer at age 58. Short previously described the years after her death as "tough, " telling an interviewer in 2012: "This is the thing of life that we live in denial about, that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones, and when it does you gain a little and you suffer a little. There’s no big surprise. "
Tour dates with Martin Short
martin short is currently on a two-man comedy tour with his longtime friend and co-star Steve Martin. The schedule includes a show on Friday in Milwaukee and a show on Saturday in Minneapolis. Staff members for the theaters said it is unclear whether the shows will take place following Katherine’s death.
This is the second personal tragedy Martin Short has endured in recent weeks; he had recently paid tribute to his longtime friend Catherine O'Hara after she passed away last month.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be reached on 116 123. In Australia, Lifeline can be reached at 13 11 14.
Katherine Hartley Short’s death is under investigation and the family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
