Martin Short's Daughter Katherine Dies At 33 After Health Battle

Martin Shorts Daughter Katherine Dies At 33 After Health Battle...

Comedian Martin Short's daughter, Katherine Short, has died at age 33 after a years-long health struggle. The news surfaced Wednesday when her obituary was published by a Toronto funeral home, sparking widespread condolences across social media.

Katherine, an artist and mental health advocate, had battled neuroendocrine cancer since 2016. Her passing comes just weeks after Martin Short appeared alongside Steve Martin at the 2026 SAG Awards, where the veteran performers received a standing ovation.

The Short family confirmed the death in a statement to People Magazine, describing Katherine as "a radiant light who touched everyone she met." Her artwork often explored themes of resilience during her illness, with several pieces displayed in Canadian galleries.

Fans are sharing tributes online, noting how Martin Short frequently praised his daughter's courage during interviews. The comedian had scaled back work in recent years to spend more time with family, though he maintained select projects like Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building."

Katherine is survived by her parents Martin and Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010, as well as siblings Oliver and Henry. The family requests donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. A private memorial will be held in Toronto next week.

This marks the second devastating loss for Martin Short, who cared for Katherine throughout her illness while continuing his decades-long career. The entertainment community has flooded social media with support, including messages from Steve Martin and Eugene Levy.

Neuroendocrine cancer remains a rare but aggressive disease, with approximately 12,000 new U.S. cases annually. Katherine's advocacy work helped raise awareness about the condition through art exhibitions and hospital fundraisers.

The timing of the news—following Martin Short's high-profile awards season appearances—has amplified public reaction. Many fans only learned of Katherine's illness through the obituary, despite her father's occasional references to "family health matters" in interviews.

Funeral arrangements indicate Katherine died peacefully at home surrounded by family. Her final artwork series, completed last month, will be displayed posthumously at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre this spring.