Martin Short's Daughter Katherine Dies at 42: 'The Short Family Is Devastated by the Loss'
Martin Short's Daughter Katherine Dies at 42: 'The Short Family Is Devastated by the Loss'
Shyla WatsonTue, February 24, 2026 at 8:51 PM UTC
0
Katherine Short and Martin Short in 2011
Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic
Martin Short's daughter Katherine Elizabeth Short has died at 42, PEOPLE confirms
"Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world," the Short family tells PEOPLE in a statement
The LAPD confirms they responded to Katherine's Hollywood Hills home on Feb. 23
Martin Short's daughter Katherine Elizabeth Short has died. She was 42.
"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," the Short family tells PEOPLE in a statement.
On Monday, Feb. 23, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to call from a Hollywood Hills home at 6:41 p.m. regarding a female approximately 41 years old. Los Angeles Police Department confirms to PEOPLE the call was regarding a possible suicide.
TMZ was first to report the news.
Advertisement
Katherine was the adopted daughter of Martin and his late wife of 30 years, Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010. The couple shared two other children via adoption, Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.
Katherine worked in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and also part-time at the clinic, Amae Health, to provide community outreach, family support groups, peer support and psychotherapy.
Katherine Short, Henry Short, Nancy Short, Martin Short and Oliver Short in 2006
Peter Kramer/Getty
She received a bachelor's degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006 and went on to earn her master's in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.
Katherine mostly remained out of the public eye, but attended a few events with her father over the years, including the afterparty for The Producers in 2003 and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2011.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
