What to Know
Despite being nominated at this year's Actor Awards, Martin Short and his cast-mates skipped the ceremony following the recent death of his daughter, Katherine. Short, along with his "Only Murders in the Building" co-stars Steve Martin and Selena Gomez, were absent from the award show that took place Sunday night, March 1, at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California.
Martin and Gomez skipped the ceremony in solidarity with Short after his daughter died by suicide at the age of 42 on Monday, Feb. 23.
At this year's ceremony, Short was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, which Seth Rogen ultimately took home. The "Only Murders in the Building" cast was also up for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, which went to the cast of "The Studio."
Katherine was found dead after the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call from a Hollywood Hills home at 6:41 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, PEOPLE previously reported.
"It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short," a representative for Short told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. "The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time," the statement continued. "Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world."
The following day, on Feb. 24, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office confirmed that Short's cause of death was determined to be suicide. The case is still open as of Wednesday, Feb. 25.
In the wake of his daughter's death, Short postponed his show at The Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Feb. 27.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Steve Martin & Martin Short's show, originally scheduled for Friday, February 27th in Milwaukee, has been postponed," the theater group's website reads. "Tickets will be honored for a future rescheduled date. We will be in contact with further news when it is available."
Katherine was one of three children adopted by the two-time Emmy Award winner and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010. The couple, who first met in 1972 and wed in 1980, also share sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.
Born on Dec. 3, 1983, Katherine Short graduated from New York University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies. She obtained a master's in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker and part-time at the mental clinic, Amae Health, PEOPLE reported.
While she mostly remained out of the public eye, Katherine attended a few events with her father over the years. She was present at an afterparty for "The Producers" in 2003 and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2011, according to PEOPLE.
Her survivors include her two younger brothers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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David Cifarelli; masslive.com; (TNS) | ©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
