Trending Now: Martin Short Bows Out Of Comedy Shows Amid Family Tragedy – Fans React

Martin Short won’t be hitting the stage with his longtime pal following the tragic death of his daughter, Katherine.

The Canadian comedian/actor lost the oldest of his three adopted children on February 23, 2026. Katherine died at the age of 42, reportedly taking her own life.

Martin Short adopted three children, Katherine, Oliver, and Henry, during his marriage to Canadian comic actress Nancy Dolman. The latter died from ovarian cancer in August 2010.

Martin Short Postpones Upcoming Shows Amid Grief

According to new reports, Martin and his longtime collaborator, Steve Martin, have postponed two of their upcoming comedy shows. The iconic duo was scheduled to hit the stage on Friday, February 27, in Milwaukee, as part of their “The Best of Steve Martin and Martin Short” comedy tour.

The Pabst Theater Group confirmed the postponement of the show on their website, noting the event would no longer be held “due to unforeseen circumstances.” Although the statement did not mention Katherine’s passing, her death seemed to be the reason behind the postponement.

Fans were assured that their tickets “will be honored for a future rescheduled date,” and the Pabst Theater Group promised to share more updates. The Daily Mail reported that the Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis, Missouri, also confirmed that an upcoming show for October 10 has been postponed.

Some Of The Scheduled Dates Are Yet To Be Affected

Although a show for October 10 was postponed, the outlet noted that closer dates in March, April, and September have not been officially postponed. As stated, the postponed shows were announced shortly after Martin’s daughter was confirmed dead.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the outlet that their officers had responded to a call at a Hollywood Hills home around 6:41 p.m. However, the source refused to identify the victim’s name due to privacy concerns.

The dispatch calls from the incident revealed that Katherine was found dead in her home with a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound. The dispatcher noted that the person who reported the incident had been “with the patient and unable to enter the bedroom” of the Hollywood Hills home.

The Iconic Duo Aren’t Strangers To Canceling Shows

The recent postponement of Martin and Steve’s comedy shows isn’t the first time the pair have had to bow out of scheduled performances due to unforeseen circumstances. The Blast reported in September 2025 that a similar incident had occurred.

The iconic duo was forced to cancel their scheduled appearance at The Dome in Virginia Beach and Richmond’s Allianz Amphitheater after Steve tested positive for COVID. The actor confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing a picture of his positive test results.

“Dear Virginia Beach and Richmond. Sadly, I have come down with Covid. I can’t possibly do the show that you deserve,” Steve lamented in the post’s caption. He noted that he and Martin had to cancel both shows, but vowed they would return under better circumstances.

About Katherine Short

The Blast covered news of Katherine’s death, reporting that she was the oldest of the three children Martin had adopted with his late wife. Katherine kept a low profile throughout her life despite her father’s fame, working as a social worker in Los Angeles.

Katherine reportedly received her bachelor’s degree from New York University and pursued a master’s degree in social work from USC years later. One of her most recent public sightings before her death occurred in 2020 when she was spotted outside Craig’s restaurant in West Hollywood.

Katherine’s younger siblings also forged their own paths outside Martin’s influence, with Oliver coaching the women’s ice hockey team and captaining the men’s snowboard team while attending the University of Notre Dame.

Henry graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in finance and worked at the Royal Bank of Canada as an analyst.

Martin Short’s Daughter Was Last Seen On Her 40th Birthday Bash

Martin’s late daughter last graced the spotlight with her presence in October 2023 for a star-studded birthday bash. The Daily Mail shared pictures and videos from the event, capturing Katherine in a sequined gown with a tiara reading “birthday girl” on her head.

Katherine proudly marked her 40th Birthday surrounded by her father and his famous colleagues at Grandmaster Recorders, a multipurpose venue featuring an Italian-Australian restaurant. The guest list included Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Bo Welch, Joni Mitchell, and the late Catherine O’Hara.

In the video, Katherine was all smiles as she stepped out of the restaurant with multiple bags in hand. Martin’s representatives confirmed her death in a poignant statement, claiming “Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

Rest in peace, Katherine Short.