Martin Short's daughter Katherine Short found dead - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Malia Mendez

February 24, 2026

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Katherine Short, the 42-year-old daughter of actor and comedian Martin Short, was found dead in her Hollywood Hills home on Monday. Her death has been confirmed by her family, who described her as a beloved social worker and a beacon of light and joy. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene, where paramedics pronounced her dead. A law enforcement source revealed that the cause of death appears to be suicide. Katherine Short was a dedicated social worker with a master’s degree in social work from USC, operating a private practice and working part-time at Amae Health, a psychiatry-led outpatient clinic. She was also involved with Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity aimed at ending the stigma surrounding mental illness. Her death comes shortly after the passing of Catherine O’Hara, another close friend of her father’s, who died of a pulmonary embolism following a battle with rectal cancer. Both Short and O’Hara were victims of mental health struggles, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by individuals dealing with such issues. Martin Short has been vocal about his own experiences with loss and mental health. After his wife Nancy Dolman passed away in 2010, he wrote a memoir dedicated to his children, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of grief. His upcoming projects include a comedy tour with Steve Martin and a nomination for an Actor Award for his role in *Only Murders in the Building*.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/24/2026