Martin Short has confirmed the heartbreaking news that his daughter, Katherine, has died at 42, with the actor and his family said to be ‘devastated’ by the loss.
Reports of the death were first published by TMZ, which claimed law enforcement discovered Katherine at her Hollywood Hills home on Monday, February 23, and that the circumstances appeared consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Los Angeles Fire Department also confirmed it attended a call-out to a Hollywood Hills residence at 6:41 p.m. involving a woman believed to be around 41 years old. While no further details were provided, the incident was described as a possible suicide.
Short later confirmed his daughter’s death through his representatives, who issued a statement saying: “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short.”
“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 was the oldest of three children adopted by Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010 following ovarian cancer.
While her father became a household name through film and television, Katherine largely stayed out of the public eye, focusing instead on a career dedicated to supporting others as a social worker.
After graduating from New York University—where she studied psychology along with gender and sexuality studies—she returned to Los Angeles and went on to earn a social work degree from the University of Southern California in 2010.
Dedicating much of her professional life to helping people in need, she reportedly undertook placements including an internship with the pro bono law firm Public Counsel and training with the West L.A. Veterans Administration. She later took a role at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
At the time of her death, she was understood to be working in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker, while also working part-time with Amae Health, providing community outreach, family support groups, peer support, and psychotherapy.
She is survived by her father and her brothers, Oliver and Henry.
Although she avoided the spotlight, Katherine was still seen alongside her father at select events over the years, including The Producers after-party in 2003 and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2011.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.