Beginnings and Early Career
Born Martin Hayter Short on March 26, 1949, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Short developed an early affinity for performance. He grew up in a family that valued education and community, which laid the foundation for his sharp intelligence and emotional sensitivity – traits that would later infuse his comedy with both whimsy and depth. His early life was not without hardship: he witnessed the loss of his older brother and both parents to illness during his youth. These deep personal losses shaped his worldview in ways that would later inform his empathetic and often emotionally nuanced comedic performances.
Short’s career officially began in Canada on television, particularly with Second City Television (SCTV) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. SCTV became a breeding ground for comedic talent, and Martin Short distinguished himself with fearless physicality, inventiveness, and an ability to inhabit wildly disparate characters. Among his most famous creations from this period was Ed Grimley, a hyper-enthusiastic nerd with a quivering voice and a distinctive cowlick – an iconic persona that cemented Short’s reputation for offbeat humor and irrepressible energy.
Saturday Night Live and Breakthrough
In 1984, Short joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL)—a moment that amplified his visibility in American entertainment. Though his tenure on the show lasted only one season, Short quickly became a fan favorite. His characters—quirky, self-aware, and brilliantly executed—left an indelible imprint on the comedy landscape. Ed Grimley and other personalities he introduced became instantly recognizable traits of the era’s comedic culture.
More importantly, SNL offered Short something beyond fame: a platform to refine his craft on a weekly, high-stakes stage. This experience sharpened his instincts and expanded his audience beyond Canada, firmly establishing him as a headlining talent capable of commanding national attention. SNL alumni often become cultural fixtures, but few, like Short, manage to mold such a varied and enduring career in its aftermath.
Film and Television Stardom
After SNL, Short transitioned seamlessly into film and television roles that showcased his versatility. He brought memorable energy to movies like Three Amigos! (1986), where he starred alongside Steve Martin and Chevy Chase. His ability to blend physical comedy with emotional sincerity made him a standout among his peers. He later appeared in Father of the Bride and its sequel—roles that revealed a more grounded, tender side while still delivering comedic gold.
Across the 1990s and 2000s, Short’s screen presence expanded. Whether in live-action comedies, voice acting for animated films, or dramatic guest spots, he proved fearless in genre-crossing performances. His range was so wide that he could elicit genuine warmth, uproarious laughter, or tender vulnerability with equal proficiency.
The mid-2010s offered another career milestone: his Broadway performance in Little Me—a role that won him a Tony Award and confirmed his prowess not just as a comedian, but as a refined theatrical talent. Awards in multiple mediums—television, film, and stage—began to define Martin Short as a comprehensive entertainer rather than simply a funny man.
Personal Life: Love, Family, and Loss
Behind the public laughter was a private life marked by deep love and profound loss. In the 1980s, Short married actress Nancy Dolman. Together they adopted three children: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. Dolman left show business to focus on their family, and Martin later spoke about the joy and grounding his children brought into his otherwise chaotic life.
Tragedy struck multiple times. In 2010, Nancy passed away from ovarian cancer after decades together. Her death devastated Short and his children and became a pivotal emotional turn in his life. Short has openly reflected on how fatherhood, grief, and resilience defined his priorities, reminding fans that even comics with infectious energy confront sorrow and heartache like anyone else.
In February 2026, another heart-wrenching moment occurred: Short’s daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, was found deceased at age 42 in her Hollywood Hills home. Authorities have described the death as a possible suicide. The family released a statement expressing deep grief while requesting privacy during this painful period. Katherine, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health advocate, was cherished by all who knew her.
The family tragedy led Short to postpone several performances on his ongoing tour with Steve Martin—an unprecedented move that underscored the profound personal toll of this loss.
Revival in 2020s: “Only Murders in the Building”
In the 2020s, Short experienced a remarkable resurgence among younger and broader audiences with his starring role in Only Murders in the Building—a Hulu series created by Steve Martin, John Hoffman, and featuring Selena Gomez. The show, which blends mystery with comedy and drama, centers on three neighbors who produce a true-crime podcast and get embroiled in murder investigations in their New York City apartment building.
The series premiered in 2021 and quickly became one of the most buzzed-about television hits of the decade. Short’s portrayal of Oliver Putnam—a flamboyant, eccentric, and deeply vulnerable character—earned both critical and audience acclaim. His chemistry with Steve Martin (as Charles-Haden Savage) and Gomez (as Mabel Mora) created a dynamic that was both hilarious and emotionally resonant.
In 2025, Only Murders in the Building aired its fifth season, which premiered on September 9, 2025, on Hulu and continued to expand the story’s mix of humor, heart, and suspense.
That same year, at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Martin Short won his first-ever SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Only Murders in the Building. Additionally, the series won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series—a first for the show in that particular category—marking a crowning achievement for both Short and his castmates.
The acclaim didn’t stop there. In late 2025, Short received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy—again for his work on Only Murders.
The show’s success is ongoing. In 2026, season six was confirmed following the dramatic finale of season five. The plot—expected to take the trio from New York to London and center around another complex mystery—promises to keep Short and his co-stars engaged in fresh narrative terrains.
Collaborations with Steve Martin: Tours and Live Performance
One of the most enduring creative partnerships of Short’s career has been with Steve Martin. Their friendship and collaborative energy stretch back to their 1986 co-starring roles in Three Amigos! and have evolved into multiple joint projects across decades.
In recent years, this bond manifested in live tours celebrating their shared comedic legacy. In 2025 and into 2026, they embarked on The Dukes of Funnytown! tour—a multi-city live performance featuring stand-up, improvisation, music, and the signature friendship banter that audiences adore.
The duo also announced an extended tour schedule through 2026, bringing their chemistry to cities across North America and engaging fans in intimate, joyful performances.
These tours are not merely nostalgia trips; they are living extensions of Short’s ability to engage audiences directly—physically, viscerally, and with off-the-cuff genius that only decades of practice can yield.
Rearview: Documentary and Legacy in 2026
A major cultural milestone in Martin Short’s life is the Netflix documentary, Marty, Life Is Short, directed by Lawrence Kasdan and set to be released on May 12, 2026. The film will chronicle Short’s expansive career—from SCTV through blockbuster films, Broadway successes, and television renaissance with Only Murders in the Building. The documentary also includes interviews and archival footage, offering context for Short’s contribution to comedy and culture at large.
This documentary arrives at a pivotal moment: shortly after Short reached 75 years of age in March 2025, and during an ongoing period of professional acclaim. It serves both as reflection and celebration – an acknowledgment that Short’s influence expanded far beyond early sketches and hit movies, touching multiple generations and disciplines.
Character Work and Artistic Style
To understand Martin Short’s impact on comedy, one must look beyond credits and awards to his distinctive approach to character and performance. His creations – like Ed Grimley, Jiminy Glick, and other bizarre, lovable figures – are not mere caricatures. They possess internal logic, emotional texture, and a sense of physics: the way Short uses his body, voice, and timing reveals an actor intensely attuned to rhythm.
Short’s comedy is both cerebral and physical, rooted in a deep understanding of dramatic contrast. He often pairs wild, unpredictable behavior with grounded emotional stakes. This capacity to oscillate between extremes gives his work a richness others rarely achieve.
The texture of Short’s humor – its blend of self-deprecation, intellectual curiosity, and sheer joyful abandon – makes his style both timeless and unique. Whether in sketch comedy, television, film, or stand-up, Short demonstrates that comedy isn’t merely about punchlines; it’s about empathy, connection, and shared vulnerability.
Life Beyond Performance
Although Martin Short has lived most of his life in the glare of performance and public scrutiny, he has consistently valued privacy and grounding through relationships and family. His three adopted children – Katherine, Oliver, and Henry – were central figures in his personal narrative. Despite their father’s fame, all three pursued paths outside of mainstream entertainment: Katherine in mental health advocacy, Oliver in media production, and Henry in animal care.
Short’s reflections on fatherhood, grief, joy, and the meaning of family have humanized a man often seen primarily as a comic genius. In interviews and his memoir I Must Say, he explored how joy and tragedy coexisted in his life – and how comedy often served as a bridge between the two.
These insights make his artistry accessible and profoundly human. Many comics hide their interiority; Short invites audiences to witness it, transforming his comedic persona from mere entertainer to storyteller and philosopher of the human condition.
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