The family and friends of Katherine Hartley Short are heartbroken to announce her passing at the age of 42. Katherine, the daughter of actor Martin Short and his late wife Nancy Dolman, died on February 20, 2026, in Los Angeles.
In a statement to InStyle, a spokesman for Martin Short confirmed the news and noted that the cause of death has not been made public. Short and Dolman, who subsequently adopted two boys, Oliver (1986) and Henry (1989), adopted Katherine immediately after she was born on December 3, 1983.
Katherine was remembered as a compassionate, thoughtful, and deeply caring individual who dedicated her professional life to supporting vulnerable people through social work. Colleagues and those she helped described her as empathetic, dedicated, and genuinely committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
She maintained a private life focused on meaningful work and close family relationships, staying out of the spotlight despite her father’s fame. Her decision to pursue a helping profession reflected her values of kindness, integrity, and quiet strength—qualities that defined her both personally and professionally.
Her mother, Nancy Dolman, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58, 16 years after she did. In interviews, Martin Short has openly discussed the devastating effects of Nancy’s passing on the family, characterizing the next years as extremely trying while highlighting the value of love, resiliency, and supporting one another.
Katherine’s death adds another layer of sorrow to a family that has already endured significant grief, yet her life and the love she gave continue to be a source of strength and inspiration for those who knew her best.
The entertainment industry, social work community, and all who knew Katherine Hartley Short now reflect on the quiet but meaningful legacy she leaves behind. Tributes from family friends, former colleagues, and those touched by her work highlight her compassion, her dedication to helping others, and the grace with which she lived. As loved ones navigate this loss, they hold tightly to the memories of her warmth, her service to others, and the example she set of living with purpose and heart.
