Long-suffering familyDaughter of Hollywood star Martin Short dies at 42
25.02.2026, 06:49 Clock
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Katherine Hartley Short is the eldest daughter of actor Martin Short. She was adopted like her two siblings. She dedicated her life to social work. Now she was found dead in her home in Hollywood Hills. It’s not the family’s first devastating loss.
Hollywood star Martin Short has to cope with what is probably the worst loss of his life: his eldest daughter Katherine Hartley Short died on Monday in Los Angeles. She was only 42 years old. According to TMZ, she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of Katherine Hartley Short,” Short’s spokesman said in a statement. “The Short family is devastated by this loss and requests privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
Katherine Elizabeth Short was the eldest of three children adopted by the Only Murders in the Building star and his wife Nancy Dolman. Instead of stepping into the limelight, Katherine devoted herself to social work. She was involved with the organization “Bring Change 2 Mind,” which works to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.
It’s not the first shocking loss for the shorts. Katherine’s mother, actress Nancy Dolman, died of ovarian cancer in 2010. Martin Short spoke openly to the Guardian at the time about the difficult time: “It’s been a tough two years for my children. This is the issue in life that we suppress – that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones.”
In another interview, the comedian said at the time about the loss of his wife: “It was of course absolutely terrible and as sad as anything. I want to tell you what I said to my children at the time: ‘I think Mom has zoomed into our souls.'”
