Martin Short Honors Late Daughter Katherine at Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Benefit

Martin Short Honours Late Daughter Katherine at Selena Gomez Benefit

Actor Martin Short addressed the grief of losing his eldest daughter, Katherine, during the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, according to Global News. Hosted at the Hollywood Palladium by Selena Gomez, the event raised funds and awareness for youth mental health.

Gomez introduced a new accolade, the Katherine Short Legacy Award, named in memory of Short’s 42-year-old daughter, who died by suicide in February. “Katherine was a social worker who devoted her own career to helping people through some of their hardest points,” Gomez told the audience, noting that the honour will carry forward her commitment to community mental health.

Stepping onto the stage alongside his Only Murders in the Building co-star, Short spoke publicly about the profound loss within his family. The 76-year-old actor drew a parallel between mental illness and physical disease, referencing his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010 at age 58.

“It has been a very difficult year for me, needless to say,” Short told the crowd. “It has been the heartbreak of our family, as you can imagine. But we have also understood in the last eight months — I think my whole family has understood — that mental health and cancer, which took my wife, for example, are both diseases. They are diseases, and sometimes diseases are terminal.”

Family Grief and Mental Health Advocacy

Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Short and Dolman. Her death at age 42 devastated the family, which also includes sons Oliver, 40, and Henry, 37. Short shared that his daughter battled extreme mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder, describing the loss as a persistent sorrow.

“Katherine fought for so long with extreme mental health issues, borderline personality [disorder], other things, and she did the best she could until she couldn’t,” Short said. He praised Gomez for raising funds and awareness to shift public perception around mental illness.

Recalling a sentiment from Dolly Parton, Short added, “Grief is love with no place to go. My pain about losing my daughter will always be present in my heart, and I think that’s simply because what we deeply love we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.”

Inaugural Award Presentation

The newly established Katherine Short Legacy Award aims to recognize individuals who make significant commitments to their communities’ mental health and well-being. Entertainment Weekly reported that Gomez welcomed Short to present the inaugural prize, highlighting her longtime friendship with the actor and her admiration for his family.

In February, a representative for Short confirmed Katherine’s passing in a statement, asking for privacy. Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a Hollywood Hills address where a woman of approximately 41 years was found dead, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office subsequently confirmed the manner of death as suicide.

Short concluded his remarks by connecting the award directly to his daughter’s professional legacy as a clinical social worker who championed open conversations about psychological well-being. “Her commitment extended beyond her profession and well into the community,” Short said. “So what an honour it is for me to be helping present this award, which honours those creating lasting impact through their commitment to mental health and well-being.”

Support Resources

Anyone affected by mental health struggles or crisis can access help through dedicated services. In Canada and the United States, individuals can call or text 988 for immediate 24/7 support. Canada also offers the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.

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