Martin Short’s co-stars pull out of Actor Awards ‘in solidarity’ after daughter’s death

Martin Short’s co-stars, Selena Gomez and Steve Martin, skipped the Actor Awards in solidarity after the sudden death of his daughter.

The actor cancelled all events after Katherine was found dead in her home at 42 with a self-inflicted injury late last month.

Co-stars Selena and Steve were both absent from the ceremony despite the best comedy series ensemble nomination for Only Murders In The Building.

Martin, 75, was also nominated for best comedy actor, with the award going to Seth Rogen for The Studio.

The trio are incredibly close, with Three Amigos star set to go on tour with Steve, but all their tour dates have now been postponed.

On February 25, a spokesperson for Martin’s family announced the ‘devastating loss’ and asked for privacy.

‘It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,’ a representative said.

‘The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.’

Katherine was one of three children adopted by Martin and his late wife, Nancy Dolman (who died of ovarian cancer in 2010). They also adopted two sons, Henry, 36, and Oliver, 39.

She was a social worker who also worked closely with Glenn Close’s charity Bring Change 2 Mind.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) claimed she had not ‘been heard from in 24 hours’ when a friend called the police.

An insider told The Daily Mail that Martin was ‘inconsolable’, adding: ‘For someone who brings so much joy to so many, who is always trying to lift others up and make them laugh, this loss has completely shattered him.

‘He is gutted, and as you would expect, his closest friends are surrounding him with love and support.’ 

Martin previously spoke about grief a couple of years after the death of his wife at just 58 years old.

He told The Guardian: ‘This is the thing of life that we live in denial about, that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones, and when it does you gain a little and you suffer a little. There’s no big surprise.’

In 2019, he told AARP he ‘still communicates with her all the time’, adding: ‘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.’

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