Martin Short and Nancy Dolman Celebrate Thirty Years Together
Martin Short revealed in a recent interview that he continues to feel his late wife Nancy Dolman’s presence in his life six years after her death. Dolman, who died in 2010 from ovarian cancer, was married to Short for 36 years and shared three adopted children with him. Daughter Katherine Short died in February 2026 at age 42, and police reports indicate the death was likely a suicide.
Short first met Dolman in 1972 during a production of “Godspell,” when she was an understudy. Their relationship developed after his previous partnership with Gilda Radner ended in 1974, and the couple wed in 1980. The family honored Dolman’s wishes after her passing by holding a celebration at a Canadian cottage, followed by a cremation and scattering of ashes on a boat.
Short said his grief was profound but he maintains that Dolman “still exists” in his consciousness. He described his mourning process as a period of reflection that also encouraged him to take more risks in life. The actor’s reflections were shared in a Netflix documentary, “Marty, Life Is Short,” released May 11, 2026.