Story perspectives

Martin Short's Netflix Doc Links Wife's Words to Daughter's Suicide

5/16/2026

Summary

Martin Short Reflects

Martin Short told the New York Times on May 15, 2026 that his wife Nancy Dolman's words “let me go” mirrored his daughter Katherine Hartley's words before her February suicide.
Short said mental illness and cancer can be either terminal or survivable.
His documentary Marty, Life Is Short streams on Netflix and is dedicated to Katherine and Catherine O’Hara.
Short has two sons, Oliver, 40, and Henry, 36.

Summary

Katherine Short Dies

Katherine Short died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound discovered in her Hollywood Hills home on February 23, 2026.
She was a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, providing psychotherapy and peer-support groups.
Through Amae Health, she led community-outreach programs, family-support initiatives, and other mental-health services.
Her service dog Joni, named for singer Joni Mitchell, assisted her with mental-illness challenges for five years, as noted on a deleted website.

Summary

Martin Short Urges

The Los Angeles coroner’s office officially ruled Katherine Short’s February death a suicide.
Actor Martin Short urged anyone facing mental-health struggles to call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org, noting its 24/7 availability.
The Short family released a statement calling Katherine “beloved by all” and praising the “light and joy” she brought to the world.

1 of 3

Martin Short Reflects

Martin Short told the New York Times on May 15, 2026 that his wife Nancy Dolman's words “let me go” mirrored his daughter Katherine Hartley's words before her February suicide.
Short said mental illness and cancer can be either terminal or survivable.
His documentary Marty, Life Is Short streams on Netflix and is dedicated to Katherine and Catherine O’Hara.
Short has two sons, Oliver, 40, and Henry, 36.

1 / 3