Who Is Martin Short's Late Wife? All About Actress Nancy Dolman
Who Is Martin Short's Late Wife? All About Actress Nancy Dolman
Jordana ComiterTue, February 24, 2026 at 10:52 PM UTC
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Martin Short and Nancy Dolman on Jan. 20, 1987, in Los Angeles
Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty
Martin Short married fellow actress Nancy Dolman in 1980
The pair were parents of three: Katherine, Oliver and Henry
The actors were married for nearly three decades when Dolman died of cancer in 2010
Martin Short called his three-decade-long marriage to his late wife a "triumph."
The Only Murders in the Building star met Nancy Dolman, a fellow actress, in 1972 while working on a musical together. They wed in 1980 and were married for nearly three decades when she died of ovarian cancer in 2010.
During a January 2019 conversation with AARP The Magazine, the Father of the Bride actor opened up about life after losing his wife, saying that while it's been "tough," he still communicates with her.
"She died in 2010, but I still communicate with her all the time. It's 'Hey Nan,' you know?" he said. "I believe that when people die, they zoom into the people that love them. The idea that it just ends, and don't speak of them — that's wrong….to me, she's still here."
The pair were also parents to three kids: Henry, Oliver and Katherine. On Feb. 24, the Short family confirmed to PEOPLE that Katherine died at 42, saying that she was "beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world."
Here's everything to know about Martin Short's late wife Nancy Dolman.
She was an actress
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman on Nov. 20, 1989, in California.
Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty
Dolman, who was from Toronto, per Broadway World, was an actress. She appeared in a recurring role on primetime TV series Soap, as well as Canadian television series Custard Pie.
After they welcomed their children, Dolman took a break from acting to stay home and raise their kids.
They met while working on the musical Godspell
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman
Colin McConnell/Toronto Star via Getty
Short and Dolman's love story began in 1972, when the pair met during the Toronto production of the musical Godspell. Dolman was Short's ex-girlfriend Gilda Radner's understudy.
During a 2024 appearance on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson & Woody Harrelson podcast, Short recalled that when he met Dolman — whom he thought was "so beautiful" — he was still dating and living with Radner.
Short went on to say that he thought Dolman was "out of my league," and noted that he also "loved Gilda."
It was only once he and Radner officially broke up that he made plans to play tennis with Dolman after seeing her at a restaurant.
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They got married in 1980
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman arrive at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Feb. 22, 2009, in California.
Kristian Dowling/WireImage
Nearly eight years after they first crossed paths, Short and Dolman got married on Dec. 22, 1980.
During his conversation with AARP The Magazine, Short called their marriage a "triumph."
They became parents in 1983
Katherine Short, Henry Short, Nancy Dolman, Martin Short and Oliver Short on Aug. 17, 2006, in New York City. Peter Kramer/Getty
During their marriage, Short and Dolman welcomed three children via adoption: Katherine, Oliver and Henry. Katherine was born in December 1983, followed by Oliver in April 1986 and Henry in August 1989.
Katherine went on to attend New York University and became a licensed clinical social worker, while her brothers are alumni of the University of Notre Dame. Oliver went on to work behind the scenes in the film and television industry, while Henry became a veterinary assistant at the Malibu Coast Animal Hospital.
On Feb. 24, the Short family confirmed to PEOPLE that Katherine died at 42 years old.
"It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short," the statement read. "The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time."
Dolman died from cancer in 2010
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman arrive at the 32nd Kennedy Center Honors at Kennedy Center Hall of States on Dec. 6, 2009, in Washington, D.C.
Paul Morigi/FilmMagic
In August 2010, Dolman died at 58 years old. Short told AARP The Magazine that his wife's death encouraged him to take more risks in life.
"With real tragedy, you become a little more daring," he said. "It's the yin to the yang: the positive part of life's dark side."
During a November 2014 appearance on The Meredith Vieira Show, Short shared a moment he shared with his children following Dolman's death at their family cottage in Canada.
"(Nancy) had once said to me, 'I don't want a funeral and I don't want a memorial. Throw a party, or no,' " he recalled. "She just was so irritated that she was losing this battle, she didn't want to think about it."
The Saturday Night Live alum went on to say that he "followed her wishes," and they had a party with about 30 close friends and family.
"She was cremated," he said. "The kids and I went into a boat, we sprinkled the ashes into the water, and we jumped into the ashes."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
