In a touching moment at the 98th Academy Awards, host Conan O'Brien delivered a heartfelt tribute to comedian Martin Short, whose daughter Katherine tragically passed away in February at age 42.
Closing out the star-studded ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, O'Brien told the audience, "It's been an honor and a joy," before adding, "We love you, Marty Short! Good night!" The emotional shout-out came weeks after Short's daughter died by suicide on February 23.
A representative for Short confirmed the devastating news to TheEntBase, stating: "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 Short and Martin Short in West Hollywood in 2011. Donato Sardella/WWD/Penske Media via Getty
Katherine was one of three children Martin shared with his late wife Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010. Following his daughter's passing, the Only Murders in the Building star skipped the 2026 Actor Awards, where he was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.
Short also postponed his comedy tour stops in Milwaukee and Minneapolis at the end of February, where he was scheduled to perform with frequent collaborator Steve Martin. A representative stated tickets would be honored for rescheduled dates.
In 2022, Short spoke about the importance of fatherhood, telling PEOPLE he was happiest when balancing work and personal life. "Working 15 hours a day? That would be terrible," he said of his comedy series. "We should eliminate things that give us stress or make us unhappy."
