Martin Short: His Wife, Children, Movies, and Net Worth
Martin Short makes people laugh for a living, but his own life story is laced with loss. The Canadian comedian lost his wife, parents, and a brother before he turned 20, and yet he built a career that spans SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and now Only Murders in the Building.
Full name: Martin Hayter Short ·
Born: March 26, 1950 (age 74) ·
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada ·
Occupation: Comedian, actor, writer ·
Years active: 1972–present
Quick snapshot
- Born in Hamilton, Ontario, youngest of five children (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Married Nancy Dolman in 1980 (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Three adopted children: Katherine, Oliver, Henry (Wikipedia)
- Emmy- and Tony-winning actor (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Martin Short’s current romantic relationship status as of 2025
- Exact cause of daughter Katherine Short’s death (reported as cancer, no further details confirmed)
- Martin Short’s exact net worth is often estimated but not officially confirmed
- Martin Short’s height is sometimes listed as 5 ft 7 in, but other sources may vary
- Exact details of Martin Short’s early family losses are sometimes reported inconsistently
- Continues starring in Only Murders in the Building (2024–present)
- Netflix documentary on his life and career reportedly in development
Six key facts, one pattern: the public knows Martin Short as a comedian, but his private life has been marked by a series of early losses that shaped his resilience.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Martin Hayter Short |
| Born | March 26, 1950 |
| Spouse | Nancy Dolman (m. 1980–2010) |
| Children | 3 (Katherine, Oliver, Henry) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Net worth | $10 million |
Are Meryl Streep and Martin Short a couple?
Despite widespread speculation fueled by their on-screen chemistry in Only Murders in the Building, Martin Short and Meryl Streep are not romantically involved. They are close friends and co-stars who have worked together on the Hulu series and the film The Prom (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Short has repeatedly stated in interviews that they are just friends, and no credible evidence suggests otherwise.
What is the nature of their relationship?
- Co-stars on Only Murders in the Building (season 3 onward)
- Appeared together in the 2020 Netflix film The Prom
- Short has described Streep as a “dear friend” in multiple interviews
Are they dating?
No. Both have publicly denied romantic involvement. The rumors appear to stem from their playful on-screen rapport and Streep’s separation from her husband Don Gummer in 2021 (People).
The internet wants them to be a couple, but the facts say otherwise: Short and Streep are longtime friends and colleagues, nothing more.
The pattern: public speculation often outpaces the facts.
What did Martin Short’s daughter pass away from?
Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine Short, died in 2024 at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer (Wikipedia). She was the eldest of his three children with late wife Nancy Dolman.
Who is Martin Short’s daughter?
Katherine Short was adopted by Martin and Nancy in the 1980s. She grew up out of the spotlight and worked as a private person. Her death was publicly announced by the family in 2024.
How did she die?
According to reports, Katherine died of cancer. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed by the family.
The implication: Short’s life continues to be marked by loss.
Does Martin Short have any biological children?
Martin Short has three children: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. All three were adopted with his wife Nancy Dolman (Wikipedia). He does not have biological children.
How many children does Martin Short have?
Three: Katherine (died 2024), Oliver, and Henry.
Are they his biological children?
No. Short and Dolman adopted all three children. Short has referred to them as his “children” without distinguishing adoption in public statements, but multiple sources confirm the adoption (Wikipedia).
The confusion between “biological” and “adopted” is common in celebrity biographies. Short’s three children are adopted, but he has always treated them as his own, and they are legally his children.
The pattern: adoption is a common source of confusion in celebrity biographies.
How old was Martin Short’s wife when she passed away?
Nancy Dolman, Martin Short’s wife of 30 years, died in 2010 at the age of 61 after battling ovarian cancer (USA Today).
Who was Martin Short’s wife?
Nancy Dolman was a Canadian actress and comedy writer. She appeared on the sketch show SCTV and later worked as a writer for television. She and Short met in the 1970s and married in 1980.
How did she die?
She died of ovarian cancer. Short has called her death “by far the most awful thing I’ve been through” (CTV News).
The implication: the loss of his wife remains a defining moment.
What movies and TV shows has Martin Short appeared in?
Martin Short’s career spans over five decades, from Canadian sketch comedy to Hollywood blockbusters. He is best known for his work on SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and the film Three Amigos! (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
What are his most famous movies?
- Three Amigos! (1986) – co-starring Steve Martin and Chevy Chase
- Father of the Bride (1991) – played Franck Eggelhoffer
- Father of the Bride Part II (1995)
- The Incredibles (2004) – voice of Edna Mode
- Only Murders in the Building (2021–present) – plays Oliver Putnam
What is his role in ‘Only Murders in the Building’?
Short plays Oliver Putnam, a Broadway director who teams up with Steve Martin and Selena Gomez to solve crimes in their New York apartment building. The role has earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Short’s career revival in his 70s, thanks to Only Murders in the Building, shows that his comedic style remains relevant across generations. The show has introduced him to a new audience.
What this means: Short’s career has spanned generations and genres.
What is Martin Short’s background and early life?
Martin Short was born on March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was the youngest of five children born to Olive Hayter, a violinist and concertmaster, and Charles Patrick Short, a steel company executive (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Where was he born?
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Who are his siblings?
Short has four siblings: one older brother, David, and three other siblings. His brother David died in a car crash when Short was 12 years old (Encyclopaedia Britannica). His mother died of cancer when he was 17, and his father died two years later from complications of a stroke (CTV News). By age 20, Short had lost three immediate family members.
The pattern: early tragedy shaped his comedic perspective.
Timeline
- – Born in Hamilton, Ontario (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- – Began career in comedy (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- – Married Nancy Dolman (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- – Joined Saturday Night Live (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- – Released Three Amigos! (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- – Wife Nancy died of ovarian cancer (USA Today)
- – Daughter Katherine died of cancer (Wikipedia)
- – Continues to star in Only Murders in the Building (Wikipedia)
The pattern: a clear chronology of events.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Martin Short was married to Nancy Dolman until her death. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- He has three adopted children. (Wikipedia)
- His daughter Katherine died of cancer. (Wikipedia)
- He and Meryl Streep are not a couple. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- He lost his parents and brother before age 20. (CTV News)
What’s unclear
- Martin Short’s current romantic relationship status as of 2025.
- Exact type of cancer that caused Katherine Short’s death.
- Whether he will marry again.
- Martin Short’s exact net worth is often estimated but not officially confirmed.
- Martin Short’s height is sometimes listed as 5 ft 7 in, but other sources may vary.
The pattern: separating fact from speculation.
Quotes
“I’m not a sad person, but I’ve had my share of sadness.”
— Martin Short, CTV News
“By far the most awful thing I’ve been through.”
— Martin Short, on the death of his wife Nancy, CTV News
According to People, Martin Short’s older brother David died at age 12 in a car accident, and his mother learned of a cancer diagnosis at the funeral.
— People magazine
The pattern: others have observed the impact of loss on Short’s life.
Summary
Martin Short’s life is a study in contrasts: a man who makes millions laugh while carrying a heavy personal history. He has turned tragedy into a source of connection, not bitterness. For fans of Only Murders in the Building who wonder about the man behind the character, the real story is one of resilience. For the Canadian comedy community, his legacy is a reminder that humor can coexist with grief. The choice for Short is clear: keep laughing, keep working, and keep honoring the people he lost.
people.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, martinshort.org, youtube.com, instagram.com, youtube.com, hellomagazine.com, english.elpais.com, voceattuale.it
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Martin Short?
Martin Short is 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) tall.
What is Martin Short’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at $10 million.
How did Martin Short get his start?
He began his career in comedy in 1972 and became a Canadian cast member of SCTV before joining Saturday Night Live.
What awards has Martin Short won?
He has won two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for his work in television and theatre.
Is Martin Short married now?
No, he has not remarried since Nancy Dolman’s death in 2010.
Does Martin Short have a podcast?
He co-hosts the podcast Steve Martin’s (and Martin Short’s) Comedy Experience with Steve Martin.
What is Martin Short’s role on Only Murders in the Building?
He plays Oliver Putnam, a struggling Broadway director.
Does Martin Short have any siblings?
Yes, he has four siblings, including his late brother David.
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