Martin Short: martin short's daughter Katherine Short dies at 42
martin short’s daughter Katherine Short, a 42-year-old Los Angeles social worker, has died. "It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short, " the family said, adding that "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. "
Martin Short postpones tour dates
Following Katherine’s death, Martin Short postponed upcoming dates on his comedy tour with longtime friend and collaborator Steve Martin. The duo’s live show had been scheduled to play Milwaukee and Minneapolis this weekend. One venue posted a statement saying: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Steve Martin & Martin Short’s show, originally scheduled for Friday, February 27th in Milwaukee, has been postponed. Tickets will be honored for a future rescheduled date. We will be in contact with further news when it is available. " The Hennepin Theatre Trust in Minneapolis also confirmed an update to the schedule. Another listing showed the next scheduled stop as Friday at Milwaukee’s Miller High Life Theatre.
Emergency response and timeline
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to Katherine Short’s Hollywood Hills home on Monday at about 6 p. m. Paramedics pronounced her dead shortly after their arrival. A law enforcement source said the death was an apparent suicide and that she died on Monday.
Medical examiner cause and place
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed Katherine Short died by suicide and listed her place of death as her residence. The cause of death was determined to be a "gunshot wound of [the] head. " She was 42.
Her education and work
Katherine Short received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender studies from New York University in 2006 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. She operated a private practice and worked part-time at psychiatry-led outpatient clinic Amae Health. She was involved with the charity Bring Change 2 Mind and also worked at a clinic providing community outreach, peer support and psychotherapy.
Family history and public tributes
Katherine was the eldest of three children Martin Short adopted with his wife, Nancy Dolman. The couple met in the early 1970s while working on the Toronto production of the rock musical "Godspell" and married in 1980. They shared three decades of marriage before Nancy Dolman died of ovarian cancer in 2010 at age 58. Katherine’s younger brothers are Henry and Oliver; one reference lists Oliver as Oliver Patrick. Martin Short published a memoir in 2014 titled "I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, " which he dedicated to his children. In a 2014 interview at his Pacific Palisades home he said, "I’ve been asked to write books over the years. I knew it had to be something more important that just anecdotes. After my wife died, I realized we all go through this and we wake up the next day whether we think the world should stop or not — it doesn’t. "
Katherine sometimes attended events and walked red carpets with her father. Her death comes less than a month after actor Catherine O’Hara died of a pulmonary embolism; O’Hara had been fighting rectal cancer. Martin Short and his "Only Murders in the Building" co-star Steve Martin paid tribute to O’Hara during a recent stop on their joint comedy tour. Recalling meeting O’Hara when she was 18, Martin Short said, "In all these years later, she has been the greatest, most brilliant, kindest, sweetest angel. "
Martin Short is up for an Actor Award this Sunday for actor in a comedy series for his performance as Oliver Putnam in "Only Murders in the Building. " The series, which co-stars Martin Short and Selena Gomez, is also nominated in the ensemble category. Catherine O’Hara is nominated as well for her portrayal of Patty Leigh in "The Studio, " which earned five total nominations.
Help and crisis resources
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional and call 988. You can also call 800-273-TALK. Additional helplines include 116 123 in the UK and 13 11 14 in Australia.
Katherine Short was 42. The Short family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
