n an emotional appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, legendary comedian and actor Martin Short shared the profound grief his family has faced following the death of his eldest daughter, Katherine Short, in February 2026. Describing the loss as a “nightmare,” Short spoke candidly about Katherine’s lifelong struggle with extreme mental health challenges.
Katherine, 42, was a dedicated licensed social worker who had spent her professional life helping others navigate the very issues she faced. “My daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, and other things,” Short shared. “She did the best she could until she couldn’t.”
A Legacy of Service
Despite her personal battles, Katherine built an impressive career centered on empathy and advocacy. A graduate of New York University and the University of Southern California, she worked at the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital before transitioning into private practice.
She was also a passionate advocate for Bring Change 2 Mind, an organization co-founded by Glenn Close to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Her father noted the tragic irony that a woman who gave so much to the mental health community succumbed to the “terminal” nature of her own condition, drawing a parallel to the cancer that claimed his late wife, Nancy Dolman, in 2010.
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Looking Forward with Marty
The interview comes at a bittersweet moment for the actor. While navigating this personal tragedy, Short is also preparing for the global premiere of his Netflix documentary, Marty: Life Is Short, scheduled to release on May 12, 2026.
The documentary is expected to provide an intimate look at Short’s legendary career in comedy, while also touching on the personal resilience that has defined his life behind the scenes. For Short, the hope is that by speaking openly about Katherine, the family can contribute to the ongoing mission she held dear: normalizing the conversation around mental health.