Comedy icon Martin Short has made the difficult decision to postpone upcoming performances on his tour with Steve Martin following the unexpected death of his daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, who passed away at the age of 42.
The Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee and the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis announced on Tuesday, February 24, that the comedy duo's scheduled shows for February 27 and February 28 would not proceed as planned. Both venues cited "unforeseen circumstances" in their official statements, though the connection to the family tragedy became clear shortly thereafter.
Representatives for the 75-year-old comedian confirmed the devastating news in a statement released Tuesday. "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," the statement read. "Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world."
According to information provided by the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a call in the Hollywood Hills area on Tuesday evening, February 23, at approximately 6:43 p.m. A deceased female was discovered at the location. Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Ticketholders for the postponed Milwaukee and Minneapolis performances have been informed that their purchased tickets will be honored when the shows are rescheduled. Both venues have indicated that new dates will be announced at a later time, though no timeline has been established given the circumstances.
A Family Shaped by Adoption and Loss
Katherine was one of three children adopted by Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman. The couple also welcomed sons Oliver, now 39, and Henry, now 36, into their family through adoption. The Short family previously experienced profound loss when Nancy Dolman passed away in August 2010 following a battle with ovarian cancer. She was 58 years old.
In the years following his wife's death, Short has spoken openly about navigating grief and maintaining connection with loved ones who have passed. During a 2019 interview with AARP, the comedian shared his philosophy on loss and remembrance.
"I still communicate with her all the time," Short said of his late wife. "I believe that when people die, they zoom into the people that love them. This idea that it just ends, and don't speak of them — that's wrong. That's based on denial that we're all going to die. So to me, she's still here."
Short also reflected on how experiencing tragedy influenced his approach to life and career. "With real tragedy, you become a little more daring," he explained. "It's the yin to the yang: the positive part of life's dark side."
A Career Built on Laughter
Martin Short has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning decades in film, television, and stage performance. His current tour with longtime friend and collaborator Steve Martin has been met with enthusiastic audiences across the country. The comedy partnership between the two entertainment veterans has become a beloved fixture in the live performance circuit, drawing sold-out crowds to major venues.
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Short has previously shared that his children chose to pursue different career paths. In a 2019 appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, he spoke with characteristic humor about his children's decisions to avoid show business, though it was clear his pride in them remained unwavering.
As the Short family processes this unimaginable loss, the entertainment community and fans worldwide have expressed an outpouring of support and condolences. The postponement of the upcoming performances demonstrates the priority Short is placing on family during this devastating time.
Further details regarding rescheduled performance dates for the Milwaukee and Minneapolis shows will be communicated directly to ticketholders through the respective venues' official channels.