Katherine Short, the eldest daughter of actor Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, has tragically passed away at the age of 42. The family shared their sorrow through a representative who stated, “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. 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.”
Authorities revealed that Katherine’s death was due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with the Los Angeles Police Department responding to her residence in Hollywood Hills on Monday evening. The family is now mourning the loss alongside her two younger brothers, Henry and Oliver.
Katherine was born on December 3, 1983, and was a dedicated scholar who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006. She furthered her education by attaining a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. Katherine built her professional career at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and contributed to the dual-diagnosis outpatient program at Camden Center. She was an active participant in the charity Bring Change 2 Mind, which focuses on fostering supportive conversations about mental health among young people.
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman first met in 1972 while working on the production of Godspell and were married in 1980. After Dolman’s passing in August 2010 from ovarian cancer, Short reflected on the challenges of loss, explaining that it profoundly affects loved ones. Currently, Martin Short is performing on a comedy-music tour with his friend Martin, with their next performance set in Milwaukee.
This heartbreaking event underscores the importance of mental health awareness and the impact of support networks in our communities. Katherine’s commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health remains a poignant reminder of the work that continues to be needed in society.