Katherine Short, Martin Short’s Daughter, Dies at 42

Martin Short is mourning the loss of his daughter, Katherine Short, who died on February 24, 2026, at the age of 42. The news was confirmed by Short’s representative in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the statement read. “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.”

According to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ, Katherine died by apparent suicide, and the Los Angeles Police Department responded to her home in the Hollywood Hills.

Katherine was the eldest of Martin and Nancy Dolman Short’s three children. She is survived by her brothers, Oliver Short, 39, and Henry Short, 36.

Her passing comes more than 15 years after the death of her mother, Nancy Dolman, a Canadian comedic actress and singer, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58. Dolman was known for her role as Annie Selig Tate on the ABC sitcom Soap and appeared in Martin Short’s 1985 television special, Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas.

Martin and Nancy Short adopted Katherine in 1983. Katherine was a graduate of New York University and worked as a social worker. Oliver Short is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and works at Warner Brothers. Details regarding Henry Short’s profession were not immediately available.