Katherine Hartley Short, the daughter of Martin Short and his late wife Nancy Dolman, has died at 42. A representative for the family confirmed the news, sharing that they are experiencing profound grief and asking for privacy during this time.
In a statement, the family said Katherine “was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
Katherine built a career dedicated to helping others. She earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University in 2006 and went on to receive her Master of Social Work from University of Southern California in 2010. She worked as a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles, specializing in areas including adoption, anxiety, depression, grief and relationship challenges. Earlier in her career, she worked at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and contributed to mental health initiatives focused on reducing stigma.
Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Short and Dolman. Dolman died in 2010 after a battle with ovarian cancer. Katherine is survived by her brothers, Oliver and Henry.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org. In Canada, Talk Suicide Canada is available at 1-833-456-4566 or by texting 45645.