Martin Short’s Three Children: Everything You Need to Know
Despite all the accolades he has garnered in Hollywood, Martin Short would probably consider being a father his most significant achievement.
Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, welcomed three children through adoption prior to her passing in August 2010 due to ovarian cancer.
While the star of Only Murders in the Building has kept much of his personal life private, he has occasionally shared insights into his journey as a parent.
“None of them wanted to go into show business, and I pushed them,” Short humorously remarked during a 2021 visit on Conan. “I wanted them to pursue a career in showbiz. I make them do laps in the morning while I sit on the balcony with my coffee and shout, ‘Quitter! Do it again!’”
In a more candid interview with The Guardian in 2012, Short expressed immense pride in his children’s achievements.
“My son Henry has just backpacked across Europe,” he stated to the outlet. “My son Oliver is employed at Warner Bros., and my daughter Katherine is a social worker.”
In February 2026, Martin faced a heartbreaking tragedy when his daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, was discovered deceased in her Hollywood Hills residence at the age of 42. The official cause of death remains unreported.
“We confirm with deep sorrow the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is heartbroken and requests privacy during this time,” Short’s representative stated to Us Weekly at that moment. “Katherine was cherished by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into our lives.”
Continue reading to learn more about Katherine and her siblings:
Katherine Short
Born in December 1983, Katherine Hartley Short was sure to impress any parent with her intellect. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006 and followed it with a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.
As noted on her website reviewed by People, Katherine began her career at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital after obtaining her master’s degree, where she worked for four years before seeking new opportunities.
People reported in December 2025 that Katherine was working in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and was also involved with the charity Bring Change to Mind, which aims to combat the stigma surrounding mental health among young individuals.
Oliver Short
Born in April 1986, Oliver Short graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a focus on film and television production.
His LinkedIn profile indicates that during his time in college, Oliver coached the women’s ice hockey team and was the captain of the men’s snowboard team.
After graduation, Oliver took on producer positions at Fox Sports and the NFL TV network before becoming an event producer at Cosm, a U.S. sports and entertainment technology firm.
Henry Short
Born in August 1989, Henry Short, the youngest sibling, attended the University of Notre Dame after graduating from an all-boys Catholic high school in Los Angeles.
Henry’s LinkedIn profile states that he worked for the Royal Bank of Canada for several years, later taking on a role as a veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital in Los Angeles.
