Martin Short: Actor breaks silence on family’s ‘nightmare’ after daughter Katherine’s devastating death
Martin Short has opened up for the first time after the sudden death of his daughter, describing the loss as a ‘nightmare for the family.’
WARNING: Distressing content
Martin Short has opened up for the first time after the sudden death of his daughter in a candid interview, describing the loss as a “nightmare for the family”.
The Canadian actor and comedian’s daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, died by suicide on February 23 at the age of 42.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The document, released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Tuesday and obtained by TMZ, confirmed the cause of death and noted that her remains were cremated.
In a candid interview on CBS News Sunday Morning, Short reflected on the profound struggle of losing a child to mental health struggles.
“It’s been a nightmare for the family,” he told the show, before following up with a heartbreaking correlation to the death of his wife, Nancy Dolman.
“But the understanding is that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases.
“And sometimes with diseases, they are terminal.”
Dolman, a Canadian actress, sadly passed away in 2010 at the age of 58 after losing her battle to ovarian cancer.
The couple were married for 30 years and shared three children together, Katherine, Oliver, 40, and Henry, 36, all of whom they adopted.
The 76-year-old continued by revealing the complexities of Katherine’s extensive history with ill mental health.
“My daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she could until she couldn’t,” he added.
Shortly after Katherine’s passing, the Short family released a statement to share their heartbreak and confirm her death.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” they said at the time.
“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.”
One week after the social worker’s tragic passing, a death certificate revealed she was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, where she dedicated her career to helping others.
She also worked with Amae Health in a role that focused on community outreach, family support groups, peer support and psychotherapy.
Martin’s emotional interview comes days before the release of his upcoming Netflix documentary, Marty, Life Is Short, which premieres on May 12.
The documentary explores Short’s life and career in comedy and is dedicated to his late daughter and long-time collaborator and actress, Catherine O’Hara, who died at 71 on January 30, CBS News reports.
