Less than three months after losing his daughter, Martin Short spoke publicly about her death and the devastation it has brought his family.
The two-time Emmy-winning comedian appeared on CBS Sunday Morning on Sunday and addressed the death of Katherine Hartley Short, who died by suicide in February. Short drew a direct comparison between mental illness and physical disease.
"It's been a nightmare for the family," he said. "But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife's, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal. And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she could until she couldn't."
Short's wife, Nancy Dolman, died in 2010 after suffering from ovarian cancer. He and Dolman adopted three children together: Katherine, Oliver and Henry.
Short also drew a parallel between the final words of his wife and what he came to understand about his daughter's death. "So, Nan's last words to me were, 'Martin, let me go.' And what [Katherine] was just saying [was], 'Dad, let me go.'"
Katherine's death was confirmed by her family following a February call to the Los Angeles Fire Department about a possible suicide at a Hollywood Hills home, which the LAPD confirmed. The family released a statement at the time. "It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short," the statement read, as reported by Deadline. "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."
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
