Martin Short's daughter Katherine Hartley Short found dead at 42 in Hollywood Hills
martin short's daughter Katherine Hartley Short, 42, has died in what law enforcement described as an apparent suicide, a family representative said, and the Short family has asked for privacy. The announcement comes as Short is on a two-man comedy tour with Steve Martin and was due to perform this weekend.
Martin Short's statement and family reaction
A representative said, "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 used Katherine's full name and described the family as devastated.
Discovery at her Hollywood Hills home and cause of death
LAPD and the fire department responded to Katherine's Hollywood Hills home on Monday; one account notes the arrival shortly after 6: 40 PM PT while another described the discovery as around 6pm that evening. She was found deceased, and law enforcement described her death as an apparent suicide. The death has also been described specifically as resulting from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Katherine's work, education and community involvement
Katherine worked as a social worker in Los Angeles and was the eldest of Short's three children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. She worked in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and part-time at a clinic providing community outreach, peer support and psychotherapy.
She was involved with a nonprofit referred to in accounts as Bring Change To Mind and also referenced as Bring Change 2 Mind; that organization works to break down stigmas connected to mental health issues and aims to empower young people to build connected, empathetic and supportive school communities where conversations about mental health are welcome and stigma-free.
Family background: Nancy Dolman, adoption and siblings
Katherine was the daughter of Martin Short and Nancy Dolman. Dolman first met Short in 1972 while they worked together on a production of Godspell; they married in 1980. Katherine was one of three children adopted by Short and Dolman; her younger brothers are named Henry and Oliver. Dolman died from ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58, and one account described her as Short's wife of 30 years.
Tours, postponements and recent personal losses
Short is on a two-man comedy tour with longtime partner Steve Martin. Shows were scheduled for Friday in Milwaukee and Saturday in Minneapolis; one venue, the Miller High Life Theatre in Milwaukee, said the Friday show, listed for February 27, had been postponed, and the Minneapolis appearance, listed for February 28, has also been postponed. Staff for the theaters said it was unclear whether the shows would take place. Separately, Short recently paid tribute to his longtime friend Catherine O'Hara after she passed away last month.
Awards nomination and final public images
Short is nominated for best male actor in a comedy series at this weekend's Actor Awards for his performance as Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building. The last widely noted public sighting of Katherine was in January 2020 outside Craig's, a restaurant in West Hollywood, and she and her father were pictured together in 2006.
Help and crisis contacts
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
