Martin Short is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and writer known for his energetic and diverse performances in television and film.
He first gained widespread recognition through his roles on the Canadian sketch comedy show “SCTV” and later on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), where his comedic talents shone through his memorable characters and celebrity impersonations.
Over the years, Short has established himself as a beloved figure in comedy, starring in films such as “Three Amigos,” “Innerspace,” and “Father of the Bride,” and more recently the popular series “Only Murders in the Building.”
File
- – Full name: Martin Hayter Short
- – Date of birth: March 26, 1950
- – Age: 74 years old
- – Gender: Male
- – Place of birth: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- – Nationality: Canadian-American
- – Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Writer
- – Height: 1.73 meters
- – Parents: Charles Patrick Short and Olive Grace Hayter
- – Siblings: David, Michael, Brian, Nora
- – Spouse: Nancy Dolman (deceased)
- – Children: Katherine Elizabeth Short, Oliver Patrick Short, Henry Hayter Short
- – Relationship status: Widowed
- – Religion: Roman Catholic
- – Ethnicity: Anglo-Irish
- – Net worth: $40 million
Early life and education
Martin Hayter Short, now 74, was born on March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is the youngest of five children of Irish-English descent.
His mother, Olive Grace Hayter, was a conductor with the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, and his father, Charles Patrick Short, was an executive at Stelco, a Canadian steel company.
Martin faced significant family tragedies from an early age, losing his eldest brother David in a car accident when he was 12, his mother to cancer in 1968 and his father to a stroke in 1970.
Short attended Westdale High School in Hamilton and then pursued higher education at McMaster University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in 1971.
Although he initially intended to do social work, he was drawn to the performing arts, encouraged by his peers and gained early acting experience.
Personal life
Martin Short married Nancy Dolman, an actress and singer, in 1980. The couple met during a production of the play “Godspell” in Toronto in 1972. They have three children: Katherine Elizabeth, Oliver Patrick and Henry Hayter.
The marriage lasted until Nancy’s death from ovarian cancer in 2010. Since then, Short has remained a widower and often speaks fondly of his late wife in interviews, reminiscing about their life together and his experiences raising their children.
Career
Martin Short’s career began in earnest when he starred in the Toronto production of “Godspell” in 1972 alongside future stars Gilda Radner and Eugene Levy. He then joined Toronto’s Second City comedy troupe, which paved the way for his success on “SCTV” from 1982 to 1983.
Short’s work on “SCTV” demonstrated his ability to create memorable characters, leading to his hiring by “Saturday Night Live” in 1984. His time on SNL further cemented his reputation as a top comedian.
Moving into film, Short starred in “Three Amigos” (1986), “Innerspace” (1987) and “Father of the Bride” (1991), among others. His unique comedic style and ability to play eccentric characters helped him stand out in Hollywood. Short also tried his hand at Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his performance in the 1999 revival of “Little Me.”
In recent years, Short has continued to work in television, film and theater, including a role in the hit series “Only Murders in the Building” alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. His career has been marked by his ability to consistently entertain and adapt across a variety of entertainment mediums.
Prize
- – Two Primetime Emmy Awards
- – Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical “Little Me” (1999)
- – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2002)
- – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
- – Officer of the Order of Canada (2019)
- – Numerous other nominations and awards for his contributions to comedy and performing arts
Net worth
Martin Short’s net worth is estimated at $40 million. He has amassed his wealth through his extensive career in television, film, stage and voice acting, as well as various comedy performances and specials.
Argumentative
Martin Short has maintained a relatively scandal-free career, known for his professionalism and positive public image. However, he has faced personal challenges and public scrutiny, particularly after his wife Nancy became ill and died in 2010.
Short’s handling of grief and his devotion to his family during this difficult time has been highlighted in numerous interviews and public appearances.
One of the few controversies involving Short occurred in 2012 during an interview on the “Today” show, when the host, Kathie Lee Gifford, mistakenly asked about his wife, not realizing that she had died two years earlier. Short handled the situation with grace and dignity, not correcting Gifford on air but later explaining the misunderstanding.
The incident drew public sympathy and highlighted his composure and respect for the memory of his late wife. Overall, Martin Short’s career has been marked by talent, resilience and the ability to withstand the pressures of fame while maintaining integrity and dedication to his craft.
Social media
- – Instagram: None
- – Twitter: None
List of movies played
- – Three Friends! (1986)
- – Inner Space (1987)
- – Cross My Heart (1987)
- – The Three Fugitives (1989)
- – Father of the Bride (1991)
- – Captain Ron (1992)
- – Clifford (1994)
- – Mars Attacks! (1996)
- – Santa Claus 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
- – Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)
- – Innate Copy (2014)
- – The Willoughbys (2020)
- – Only Murders in the Building (2021-2023)
Book
- “I have to say: My life is like a humble comedy legend” (2014)
