Martin Short Opens Up About Daughter Katherine’s Death: “A Nightmare No Parent Should Carry” The beloved comedian, known for bringing laughter to millions, reveals the profound grief of losing his daughter to mental illness — and draws a compassionate parallel to his late wife’s battle with cancer.

In a rare and deeply emotional interview aired on May 10, 2026, on CBS Sunday Morning, Martin Short, 76, spoke publicly for the first time about the heartbreaking loss of his eldest daughter, Katherine Hartley Short. Katherine, a licensed clinical social worker who dedicated her life to helping others with mental health challenges, died by suicide at the age of 42 in February 2026.

“It’s been a nightmare for the family,” Short shared with quiet candor. “But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal. And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health — borderline personality disorder, other things — and did the best she could until she couldn’t.”

A Family’s Private Struggle Behind Public Joy
For decades, Martin Short has been a comedic icon — from his breakout on Saturday Night Live to beloved roles in films like Father of the Bride and his current success in Only Murders in the Building. Yet behind the wit and warmth lies a man who has endured profound personal losses.

Katherine was the first of three children Short and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman, adopted together. Nancy, Short’s partner of nearly 30 years, passed away in 2010 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. In the interview, Short drew a moving connection between the two losses, noting how Katherine’s final plea echoed his wife’s last words: “Nan’s last words to me were, ‘Mart, let me go.’ And what [Katherine] was just saying [was], ‘Dad, let me go.’”

Katherine built a meaningful career as a mental health professional in Los Angeles. She held degrees from NYU and USC, worked in private practice, and specialized in areas including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief, and suicidality. She was also open about her own struggles, sharing publicly about her service dog, Joni, who supported her through years of living with mental illness.

Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness
Short’s willingness to speak openly highlights a critical message: mental illness deserves the same compassion, urgency, and seriousness as physical diseases. By equating Katherine’s battle with his wife’s cancer, he challenges the stigma that often surrounds conditions like borderline personality disorder.

“She fought hard,” he emphasized. His words serve as both a father’s loving tribute and a broader call for understanding. In a world where mental health struggles are too often hidden, Short’s honesty offers comfort to other families facing similar invisible battles.

The family released a statement following Katherine’s death: “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss.”

A Life Defined by Love and Resilience
Despite the pain, Short continues to honor his family’s legacy through his work. His upcoming Netflix documentary, Marty, Life Is Short, reflects on a life filled with both extraordinary success and staggering loss. Even in grief, he chooses to face tragedy with the same grace and humor that have defined his public persona.

Katherine’s life and her father’s words remind us that behind every public figure is a family navigating the most human experiences — love, loss, and the enduring strength to keep going.

Martin Short’s message is clear: we must treat mental health with the same openness and support we offer physical illness. In sharing his family’s pain, he helps reduce the isolation so many face and encourages greater empathy worldwide.

Our hearts go out to Martin Short, his sons Oliver and Henry, and the entire family. Katherine’s legacy of compassion and service lives on through the countless lives she touched. May her memory bring comfort, and may her father’s courage inspire real change in how we discuss and support mental health.