Martin Short

Martin Hayter Short is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, writer, and singer who has been making audiences laugh for over five decades. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, he is best known for his explosive comic energy, rapid-fire wit, and unforgettable characters like Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick. Short first found fame on the sketch series SCTV and Saturday Night Live, then built a career that spans film, television, and Broadway. He has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Tony Award, and in 2019 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Today, Short is in the middle of a remarkable late-career renaissance. Since 2021 he has co-starred alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez in the hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, a role that brought him a new generation of fans. He also continues to tour with Martin, packing theaters with their comedy show. In 2026, a Netflix documentary titled Marty, Life Is Short offered an intimate look at his life and enduring appeal. Short remains one of the most beloved figures in comedy, known for his generosity, his infectious laugh, and his ability to find joy even in difficult times. [edit]

Martin Short grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, the youngest of five children in a close-knit Catholic family. His mother, Olive, was a concert mistress and music teacher, and his father, Charles Patrick Short, worked as a steel company executive. Tragedy struck early: his eldest brother David died in a car accident in 1962, and his brother Michael died of complications from cystic fibrosis in 1970, the same year their father passed away from a stroke. These losses shaped Short's worldview and gave his comedy a bittersweet edge.

He attended Westdale Secondary School, where he first caught the performing bug. After graduating, he studied social work at McMaster University, earning his degree in 1971. But theatre kept pulling him in. He joined the Toronto branch of The Second City, the legendary improv troupe, and in 1972 he landed a spot in the Toronto production of the musical Godspell. That show became a landmark: his fellow cast members included Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and Paul Shaffer, a concentration of future comedy royalty that was almost unprecedented. Short has often recalled Radner's audition, a devastatingly raw rendition of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah that he described as the most tragic thing he'd ever seen. That production ignited the Canadian comedy revolution and set Short on his path. [edit]

Short's career took off in the early 1980s when he joined the cast of SCTV, the Canadian sketch show that became a comedy institution. There he created Ed Grimley, the excitable, cowlicked character who would follow him to Saturday Night Live in 1984. His film debut came in 1986 with Three Amigos!, alongside Steve Martin and Chevy Chase, and he quickly became a sought-after comic actor in Hollywood.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Short balanced film, television, and stage. He starred in Innerspace (1987), Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel, and Mars Attacks! (1996). On Broadway, he won a Tony for Little Me in 1999 and earned a nomination for The Goodbye Girl. His voice work includes Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Treasure Planet, and Madagascar 3.

In 2015, Short and Steve Martin began touring together, and their chemistry led to the Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life in 2018. The duo then teamed up with Selena Gomez for Only Murders in the Building, which premiered in 2021. The show became a massive hit, earning Short a SAG Award and multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. As of 2026, the series is in its sixth season, and Short shows no signs of slowing down. [edit]

Martin Short is widely regarded as one of the most energetic and unpredictable comedians of his generation. His style is characterized by rapid-fire delivery, physical comedy, and a willingness to go completely over the top, often breaking into laughter at his own jokes. This manic energy has made him a beloved figure in comedy circles, though a 2026 Slate analysis noted that he can be polarizing, with some finding his intensity overwhelming.

Short's public persona is that of a warm, generous performer who loves making people laugh. His collaborations with Steve Martin have become legendary, and their onstage chemistry is a major draw. Fans appreciate his authenticity, especially his willingness to discuss grief and loss with honesty. There is no official fandom name, but his supporters are fiercely devoted, often citing his ability to turn pain into laughter as a source of inspiration. [edit]

Martin Short remains a towering figure in comedy, currently holding the position of the 92nd most famous person in Canada and the 69th most famous person from Canada according to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. These placements reflect a career that has transcended decades of sketch shows and blockbuster films, anchoring him firmly in the cultural consciousness without needing to explain the mechanics behind the numbers. His fanbase is a vast, devoted community of "beloved fans" who have followed his journey since the 1970s, though no formal organization or specific name like "The Shorties" has ever been officially adopted by this group. Unlike modern pop phenomena driven by algorithmic campaigns, Short's following is built on a legacy of shared laughter and deep personal connection. The narrative surrounding his popularity has recently deepened with stories of resilience, particularly after the tragic loss of his daughter Katherine, which sparked a wave of public sympathy and renewed interest in his documentary work. While he lacks the organized fan clubs seen with younger stars, his audience remains fiercely loyal, drawn to his manic energy and the enduring magic of his partnership with Steve Martin. This dynamic duo continues to sell out venues across North America, proving that their chemistry still commands massive crowds. Recent news of the *SCTV* series arriving on Netflix further fuels this engagement, introducing his foundational work to new generations while satisfying long-time devotees. The sheer scale of his influence spans media coverage, search trends, and consumption signals worldwide, cementing his status as a living legend whose fame is both historic and vibrantly current.[edit]

Short studied social work at university, a background he credits for his uncanny ability to understand human behavior and fuel his comedy. He holds dual Canadian-American citizenship and rose to prominence alongside future legends Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and Paul Shaffer during the production of *Godspell*. A hallmark of his performance style is breaking character to laugh at his own jokes, a trait that endears him to audiences and fellow cast members alike. His iconic creation Ed Grimley originated on *SCTV* before migrating to *Saturday Night Live*, becoming one of his most recognizable signatures. Beyond the laughs, his life includes profound moments of lore; a story fans still retell involves his first encounter with Gilda Radner, an experience he later described as witnessing "the most tragic thing I've ever seen." Another defining chapter emerged from recent tragedy, as the death of his daughter Katherine led to the creation of the documentary *Marty, Life Is Short*, exploring his grief and recovery. This period also saw the sale of her Hollywood home for $1.8 million, marking a somber closure to a difficult era. Meanwhile, the enduring bond with Steve Martin remains a cultural touchstone, with their joint tours continuing to draw massive crowds and their latest performances in Louisville reaffirming their legendary status.[edit]

Martin Short married Canadian actress and singer Nancy Dolman in 1980. Dolman was known for her role on the sitcom Soap and for appearances on The Carol Burnett Show. The couple had three children: Katherine (born 1983), Oliver (born 1986), and Henry (born 1991). They remained married for 30 years until Dolman died of ovarian cancer on August 21, 2010.

In early 2026, the family faced another devastating loss when Katherine died by suicide. Short has spoken openly about the nightmare of losing his daughter. His son Oliver and his wife also experienced hardship when their home burned down, and they temporarily lived in Newport Beach. Through these tragedies, Short has emphasized the importance of family and finding joy in the midst of pain. [edit]

Martin Short's closest professional and personal collaborator is Steve Martin. The two have been friends for decades, touring together and co-starring in Only Murders in the Building. Short also shares a deep bond with Eugene Levy, his fellow Godspell alum, with whom he reunited for the 2026 documentary You Had to Be There. His late wife Nancy Dolman remains a central figure in his life story. [edit]

Martin Short's only publicly documented relationship was his marriage to Nancy Dolman. The couple met in the 1970s and married in 1980. Dolman, a Canadian actress and singer, was known for her role on Soap and appearances on The Carol Burnett Show. Together they had three children: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry.

Their marriage lasted 30 years, until Dolman's death from ovarian cancer on August 21, 2010. Short has spoken about the profound grief of losing her, and he has not publicly dated anyone since. As of 2026, Short remains widowed, focusing on his family and career. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Martin Short's net worth at $70 million in 2026. The bulk of his income comes from his long-running television career, particularly his role in Only Murders in the Building, where he reportedly earns a substantial per-episode salary. His comedy tours with Steve Martin have also been highly lucrative, selling out venues across North America since 2015. Short's film career, spanning over 50 movies, has contributed steady earnings, as have his Broadway appearances, including his Tony-winning turn in Little Me. Voice work in animated features like Madagascar 3 added to his financial portfolio. Over the years, his net worth has grown steadily, reflecting his ability to remain relevant across decades. As of 2026, he continues to tour, act, and produce, ensuring a healthy income stream.[edit]

Martin Short has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, one for writing on SCTV in 1983 and another for The Martin Short Show in 1999. He also won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Little Me in 1999. More recently, he has won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building, in 2022 and 2024. [edit]