Watch: Celebrity Deaths: 2025's Fallen StarsContent warning: This story discusses suicide. Martin Short is weathering an unimaginable tragedy. Katherine Short, the Only Murders in the Building star's only daughter with late wife Nancy Dolman, has died. She was 42. "It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short," Martin's rep said in a Feb. 24 statement to E! News. "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." Katherine died by apparent suicide, law enforcement sources told TMZ, with the Los Angeles Police Department responding to her Hollywood Hills home on Feb. 24. E! News has reached out to Martin for comment but hasn't heard back. Katherine was the oldest of Martin and Nancy's three kids, preceding younger brothers Oliver Short, 39, and Henry Short, 36. Her passing comes 15 years after Nancy, an actress and a singer, died of ovarian cancer at age 58.photosCelebrity Deaths: 2025's Fallen Stars"It's been a tough two years for my children," Martin told The Guardian in October 2012. "This is the thing of life that we live in denial about, that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones, and when it does you gain a little and you suffer a little. There's no big surprise." Unlike her parents, Katherine opted to stay away from the entertainment industry, carving her own path as a licensed clinical social worker. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006, before earning a master's in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010, according to her former website.
Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagicFollowing her master's program, Katherine worked as UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years, becoming an "expert in crisis management, advocacy, connecting clients to resources, individual therapy, group psychotherapy, and supporting family members and loved ones of persons with severe mental illness or substance abuse," per her profile. She went on to worked at the Camden Center, a mental health clinic in West L.A., before starting her own private practice. "None of them wanted to go into show business, and I pushed them," Martin joked of his kids during a 2012 appearance on Conan. "I wanted them to go into show business. I make them do laps in the morning and I go to the balcony with my coffee and say, 'Quitter! Do it again!'" To see photos of Martin with his family, keep reading.
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicFamily ManMartin Short and his late with Nancy Dolman shared three kids: daughter Katherine Short (born Dec. 3, 1983) as well as sons Oliver Short (born April 29, 1986) and Henry Short (born Aug. 4, 1989) The family had a night out at the Broadway opening night of the comedian's Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me in 2006.
Joan Adlen/Getty ImagesDad & MeMartin and Katherine joked around during a 1989 photo shoot.
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty ImagesRed Carpet ReadyMartin and Nancy, who married in 1980, took their daughter to the 1997 premiere of Jungle 2 Jungle.
Gregg DeGuire/WireImageEventful DayThe couple brought their youngest son Henry to the Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events premiere in 2004.
Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesHello, HalloweenWhile Martin kept it business casual, Katherine dressed up for Bette Midler's 60th birthday celebration on Halloween 2005.
George Pimentel/Getty ImagesFather & SonMartin shared a hug with his youngest son Henry at The Second City's Take Off, EH! benefit in July 2017.
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesGolden MomentThe family hung out with Goldie Hawn during the Los Angeles premiere of The Producers in May 2003.
Frank ALBERTSON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesNight OutMartin was joined by Katherine and Oliver at Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars benefit in October 2006.
Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty ImagesWalk This WayMartin unveiled his star on Canada's Walk of Fame as his son Henry and niece Lena Dolman looked on. James Devaney/WireImageLate NightKatherine was on hand to support her dad's appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman in March 2006.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Watch: Celebrity Deaths: 2025's Fallen StarsContent warning: This story discusses suicide. Martin Short is weathering an unimaginable tragedy. Katherine Short, the Only Murders in the Building star's only daughter with late wife Nancy Dolman, has died. She was 42. "It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short," Martin's rep said in a Feb. 24 statement to E! News. "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." Katherine died by apparent suicide, law enforcement sources told TMZ, with the Los Angeles Police Depar