Martin Short’s Daughter Katherine Short Dies at 42 from Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
martin short’s daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, has died at 42 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a representative confirmed. The death at her Hollywood Hills home on Monday evening has prompted a law enforcement and fire response and leaves the family seeking privacy amid looming questions about the comedian’s scheduled shows.
LAPD and Fire Department Responded to Hollywood Hills Home
Los Angeles police and the fire department were dispatched to Katherine Short’s Hollywood Hills residence on Monday evening and found her deceased. Accounts place the discovery around 6pm or shortly after 6: 40 PM PT. Law enforcement officials have described the death as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Representative Confirms Passing of Katherine Hartley Short
A representative for Martin Short released a statement confirming Katherine Hartley Short’s death, saying the family is devastated and asking for privacy. The statement described Katherine as "beloved by all" and said she will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.
Katherine Short's Career and Education
Katherine Short worked as a social worker in Los Angeles. She earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University and later completed a master’s in social work at the University of Southern California. More detailed accounts list a bachelor’s in psychology and gender sexuality studies from NYU in 2006 and a master’s in social work from USC in 2010. She practiced as a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and worked part-time at a clinic providing community outreach, peer support and psychotherapy.
Katherine was involved with mental-health charities, including references to Bring Change To Mind and to Bring Change 2 Mind, organizations aimed at reducing stigma around mental health issues.
Family Background: Nancy Dolman, Adoption and Brothers
Katherine was one of three children adopted by Martin Short and his then-wife Nancy Dolman. She was the eldest of Short’s three children. Dolman first met Short in 1972 while working on a production of Godspell; the couple married in 1980 and later adopted Katherine and her younger brothers, Henry and Oliver. Nancy Dolman died of ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58; the marriage had lasted roughly 30 years.
The years after Dolman’s death were described by Short as difficult; he had previously said those years were "tough" and reflected on the pain and the small gains that follow such loss.
Martin Short's Tour with Steve Martin and Recent Personal Losses
The death of Katherine Short is the second personal tragedy Martin Short has experienced in recent weeks. He recently paid tribute to his longtime friend Catherine O'Hara after her passing last month. Short is currently on a two-man comedy tour with his longtime friend and co-star Steve Martin, with shows scheduled for Friday in Milwaukee and Saturday in Minneapolis. Theatre staff have said it is unclear whether those performances will go ahead.
What makes this notable is the concentration of public and private events intersecting: a high-profile entertainer balancing ongoing tour dates while confronting multiple bereavements in rapid succession, leaving promoters and venues uncertain about immediate plans.
Public Sightings and Crisis Resources
Katherine largely kept out of the public eye but did appear at a few events with her father; the last noted public sighting was in January 2020 outside Craig's in West Hollywood. In the wake of her death, the representative’s request for privacy has been issued to the public and media.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
