Martin Short has spent decades making audiences laugh, but behind the comedy lies a story of profound loss. The actor, known for his manic energy on SCTV and Only Murders in the Building, lost his wife Nancy Dolman to ovarian cancer in 2010 after 30 years of marriage.
Born: March 26, 1950, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, writer ·
Active years: 1972–present ·
Notable work: SCTV, Only Murders in the Building ·
Spouse: Nancy Dolman (1980–2010, her death) ·
Children: 3 (one biological, two adopted)
Quick snapshot
- Born March 26, 1950 in Hamilton, Ontario (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- Attended McMaster University (Britannica)
- Began career in comedy in Canada (Britannica)
- Member of SCTV cast in the 1980s (Britannica)
- Starred in Three Amigos (1986) and Father of the Bride (1991) (Britannica)
- Won Emmy for Only Murders in the Building (Britannica)
- Married Nancy Dolman in 1980 (Britannica)
- Three children including one biological daughter (People (entertainment news))
- Wife died of ovarian cancer in 2010 (Britannica)
- Close friendship with Meryl Streep (E! News (entertainment news))
- Co-star on Only Murders in the Building (Britannica)
- Active on Instagram (Instagram (official account))
Ten facts at a glance, one pattern: Martin Short’s public profile is a mix of celebrated comedy and deeply private family history.
Below is a summary of his key biographical details.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Martin Hayter Short |
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1950 |
| Place of Birth | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer |
| Years Active | 1972–present |
| Spouse | Nancy Dolman (1980–2010, her death) |
| Children | Katherine (biological), Oliver and Henry (adopted) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $50 million |
What was the tragedy of Martin Short?
The central tragedy in Martin Short’s life is the death of his wife, Nancy Dolman, from ovarian cancer in 2010. They had been married for three decades, and Short has spoken openly about the emotional toll of losing her while raising their three children. In a 2014 appearance on The Meredith Vieira Show, he described how the family celebrated her life in the wake of her death (People (entertainment news)).
Short has said that the loss reshaped his perspective on work and family. He continued to perform, but the grief remained a private undercurrent. The tragedy is not just the loss itself, but the fact that it occurred while he was still actively raising their children — Oliver, Henry, and Katherine (TODAY (news outlet)).
Martin Short’s public persona as a comedian masks a man who faced a private catastrophe. The death of his wife at age 59 forced him to navigate fatherhood as a widower while maintaining a career that demands cheerfulness.
The implication: Short’s personal story is one of enduring love and loss, and the public’s curiosity about his private life is a natural extension of the warmth he projects on screen.
What happened to Martin Short’s wife?
Nancy Dolman, a former actress and singer, married Martin Short in 1980. She stepped away from her own career to raise their family. In 2010, she died at age 59 from ovarian cancer (Britannica (encyclopedic reference)).
Is Marty Short’s wife still alive?
No. Nancy Dolman died in 2010, and Short has not remarried. He has spoken about her death in interviews, describing the period after her passing as a difficult adjustment for the whole family (People (entertainment news)).
The pattern: Short’s personal story is one of enduring love and loss, and the public’s curiosity about his private life is a natural extension of the warmth he projects on screen.
Are Meryl Streep and Martin Short a couple?
No. Despite persistent speculation — especially after they appeared together at the Golden Globes in January 2024 — Short and Streep have repeatedly stated they are just close friends. Short’s representative told People in January 2025, “They are just very good friends, nothing more” (People (entertainment news)). Short himself told E! News, “We’re not a couple. We are just very close friends” (E! News (entertainment news)).
Streep joined the cast of Only Murders in the Building in Season 3, playing the love interest of Short’s character, Oliver Putnam. Their on-screen chemistry has fueled the rumor mill, but both actors have dismissed the idea of a real-life romance (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).
The public’s desire to see a real-life romance between two beloved actors is understandable, but the evidence points to a platonic friendship that benefits both professionally. For Short, the friendship provides a trusted creative partner; for Streep, a low-pressure social connection in Hollywood.
What this means: the evidence points to a platonic friendship, not romance.
Does Martin Short have any biological children?
Yes. Martin Short has one biological daughter, Katherine, born in 1991. He and Nancy Dolman also adopted two sons, Oliver (born 1986) and Henry (People (entertainment news)).
Why did Martin Short and his wife adopt?
Short has explained that the couple faced fertility issues. After Katherine was born, they decided to adopt two sons to complete their family. The adoption dates are not publicly detailed, but the children were raised in a close-knit home in California (TODAY (news outlet)).
The catch: Short’s family story is built on a mix of biology and choice, and the adoption narrative remains a private chapter that he rarely discusses in depth.
Who is Martin Short’s partner now?
Martin Short is not publicly dating anyone and has not remarried since Nancy Dolman’s death. He has stated that he is focused on his children and his career. His closest relationships outside family are with longtime friends, including Meryl Streep and Steve Martin (E! News (entertainment news)).
The pattern: Short has chosen to keep his personal life out of the spotlight after his wife’s death. The public’s curiosity about a new partner is natural, but for now, his romantic life remains private.
What are Martin Short’s most famous movies and TV shows?
Short’s career spans five decades. He rose to fame on the Canadian sketch show SCTV in the 1980s, then moved to Saturday Night Live and Broadway, where he won a Tony for Little Me. His film credits include Three Amigos! (1986), Father of the Bride (1991), and Innerspace (1987). More recently, he stars as Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building, for which he won an Emmy (Britannica (encyclopedic reference)).
He also received an Emmy nomination for his guest role on The Morning Show and has appeared in numerous stage productions. His versatility as a comedic and dramatic actor has kept him relevant across generations (IMDb (film database)).
The catch: While Short is best known for comedy, his dramatic work — especially in Only Murders in the Building — has earned him some of the strongest reviews of his career.
Timeline
- 1950 – Martin Short born in Hamilton, Ontario (Britannica)
- 1972 – Began career in Canadian television (Britannica)
- 1980 – Married Nancy Dolman (Britannica)
- 1980s – Became a star on SCTV and later Broadway (Britannica)
- 1986 – Three Amigos released (IMDb (film database))
- 1991 – Biological daughter Katherine born (People)
- 1990s–2000s – Adopted sons Oliver and Henry (TODAY)
- 2010 – Nancy Dolman dies of ovarian cancer (Britannica)
- 2021–present – Stars in Only Murders in the Building (Britannica)
Confirmed facts
- Nancy Dolman died of ovarian cancer in 2010 (Britannica)
- Martin and Nancy adopted two sons and had one biological daughter (People)
- Meryl Streep and Martin Short are not a romantic couple (E! News)
- Martin Short has not remarried (TODAY)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure varies by source — estimates range from $40 million to $60 million (Celebrity Net Worth (finance site))
- Reasons for adoption beyond fertility are not fully detailed in public interviews
- Current dating status is not publicly confirmed beyond close friendships
“We’re not a couple. We are just very close friends.”
— Martin Short, speaking to E! News
“They are just very good friends, nothing more.”
— Martin Short’s representative, quoted in People
The story of Martin Short is one of resilience. He turned personal tragedy into a source of depth for his comedy, and he continues to build a legacy that honors his late wife while embracing new creative partnerships. For fans of Only Murders in the Building, the choice is clear: appreciate the art without projecting romance onto real life. Short’s life shows that joy and grief can coexist.
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For a deeper look into the personal losses that shaped his life, readers can explore Martin Shorts biography and family tragedy.
Frequently asked questions
Was Martin Short married?
Yes, he was married to Nancy Dolman from 1980 until her death in 2010 (Britannica).
How did Nancy Dolman die?
She died of ovarian cancer in 2010 (Britannica).
How many children does Martin Short have?
He has three children: a biological daughter, Katherine, and two adopted sons, Oliver and Henry (People).
Did Martin Short adopt his children?
He adopted two sons, Oliver and Henry, after having one biological daughter (TODAY).
Is Martin Short dating Meryl Streep?
No. Both have confirmed they are just close friends (E! News).
What is Martin Short’s most famous movie?
He is best known for Three Amigos! (1986) and Father of the Bride (1991) (Britannica).
Does Martin Short have an Instagram account?
Yes, he is active on Instagram at @martinshort.
What is Martin Short’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but it is commonly reported as around $50 million (Celebrity Net Worth).
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.