Martin Short’s life was filled with tragedy. The legendary comedian and actor has said many times that these losses shaped his character. The 75-year-old lost his only daughter on Monday, Catherine,suicide. The 42-year-old social worker was reportedly found dead at her home in the Hollywood Hills. She died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, TMZ said, citing law enforcement sources.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a Short family spokesperson said in a statement. “The Short family is devastated by this loss and has requested privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”
Catherine is adopted by Short Nancy DormanDied of ovarian cancer in 2010. The 42-year-old works as a social worker in Los Angeles. She holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California.
The exact circumstances of her death are unclear.
Martin Short talks about his family’s tragedy
Short lost his brother in an accident when he was 12 years old. His mother died after battling cancer for many years. Two years later, his father, a steel executive, died. The comedian lost all three when he was just 20 years old.
Speaking of their deaths, Martin Short told The Hollywood Reporter: “At 20, I knew things about life and death and tragedy and loss that none of my friends knew. I don’t know why it didn’t screw me up. The only thing I can think of is that this kind of pressure in life either empowers you or breaks you.”
“But I think that by going through it and moving on, I built muscles to deal with disappointments in life. And I do think, in a weird way, it did make me braver as a performer and braver on stage. I would try something and if someone didn’t like it, I didn’t care because I didn’t know them. I never did it to get the admiration of strangers. I did it to make my siblings and friends laugh.”
Short’s wife, Nancy Dolman, died of ovarian cancer 16 years ago. The two had been married for 30 years at the time. The comedian said of Dorman in 2019 that he still “talks” to her.
Martin Short told AARP Magazine: “You become bolder in the face of real tragedy. It’s the yin and yang: the positive part of the dark side of life.”
