What Happened To Martin Short's Daughter, Katherine? Everything to Know About Her Life, Career and Cause of Death

A family tragedy has led actor and comedian Martin Short to step back from the spotlight following the death of his daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, at the age of 42. The actor's representative confirmed her passing on 24 February, describing the family's 'profound grief'. A scheduled comedy show with Steve Martin in Milwaukee on 27 February has been postponed due to 'unforeseen circumstances', with event tickets to be honoured at a later date.

For those unfamiliar with his work, Martin Short is a Canadian actor, comedian and writer known for his work in film, television and live comedy. On his rise to stardom, he gained prominence through sketch comedy, including his time on Saturday Night Live, and later built a successful film career. He currently stars in the television series Only Murders in the Building alongside Martin and Selena Gomez.

What Happened To Martin Short's Daughter, Katherine?

Katherine Short was one of three adopted children of Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman. Born in December 1983, she was raised within a family closely connected to the entertainment industry. On 24 February, a family representative confirmed her death and asked for privacy, stating that she 'was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world'.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Katherine died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to her Hollywood Hills home shortly after 6:40 p.m. on Monday. No further official details have been released publicly regarding the circumstances.

Katherine Short's Education And Career

Katherine Short demonstrated academic strength from an early age and pursued higher education in the US, and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006. She later completed a master's degree in social work at the University of Southern California in 2010.

Following her postgraduate studies, she joined UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. She worked there for four years, according to information reported by People and details previously shared on her professional website. Her work focused on mental health support within a clinical setting.

By December 2025, she was working in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker. She was also active with Bring Change to Mind, a charity dedicated to reducing stigma surrounding mental health among young people. Her professional path remained rooted in mental health advocacy and clinical care.

Martin Short's Public Response And Family Life

The Short family confirmed Katherine's passing in a written statement released on 25 February. The statement said, 'The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time'.

Martin Short had previously spoken about his three children during a 2012 interview with The Guardian. He said, 'My son Henry has just been backpacking around Europe. My son Oliver works at Warner Bros., and my daughter Katherine is a social worker'.

Katherine is now survived by her father and her two brothers, Henry and Oliver. The family has not released further information beyond their public statement.