The daughter of beloved comedian and actor Martin Short has died aged 42, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes.
Katherine Hartley Short passed away on Monday at her home in Hollywood Hills, California. A representative for the Only Murders in the Building star confirmed the heartbreaking news on Tuesday.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the statement read. “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.”
According to reports, emergency services were called to the residence shortly after 6pm local time. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed they responded to a reported shooting and that a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. No further details have been released.
Katherine was the adopted daughter of Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died from cancer in 2010. The couple, who were married for 30 years, also adopted two sons, Oliver Patrick and Henry Hayter.
Despite her famous family, Katherine largely lived her life out of the public eye. She graduated from New York University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies, before earning a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.
She went on to work as a social worker in private practice and part-time at Amae Health, an outreach clinic providing psychotherapy services. Katherine was also involved with Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
While she avoided the spotlight, Katherine occasionally appeared alongside her father at public events. Their most recent outing together was in 2023, when they attended her 40th birthday celebration at Grand Master Recorders in Hollywood. She was also photographed with Short at industry events in earlier years, including theatre and charity functions.
The Short family has requested privacy as they mourn a deeply personal loss.
Images: IMDB
