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For decades, Martin Short has kept audiences laughing with his sharp humor and unforgettable characters. But behind the comedy icon was a deeply personal love story with his late wife, Canadian actress Nancy Dolman.
The couple met in 1972 while performing in a Toronto production of Godspell, married in 1980 and went on to build a life and family together that lasted nearly 30 years before her death from ovarian cancer in 2010.
Nancy Doleman and Martin Short married in 1980 after meeting in 1972. (Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock)
Here’s everything to know about Nancy and her marriage to Martin, below.
Where Was Nancy Dolman From?
Like Martin, Nancy was Canadian. She was born on September 26, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, and was raised in a family with strong ties to the entertainment industry. Her brother, Bob Dolman, went on to become a well-known screenwriter and director, with credits including Willow and The Banger Sisters.
Before her life in Los Angeles, Nancy built her own career in musical theater in Canada. She performed in stage productions throughout the 1970s — including Godspell, where she met Martin — laying the foundation for both her acting career and their decades-long love story.
She Landed a Role on the Sitcom Soap
After touring with Jesus Christ Superstar, Nancy transitioned from musical theater to television, landing a recurring role on the late-1970s ABC sitcom Soap. The series — a sharp parody of traditional soap operas — starred Billy Crystal and Richard Mulligan and became a cult favorite during its four-season run.
Nancy portrayed Annie Selig Tate, a recurring character on the show. Not long after, she stepped away from acting to focus on raising her kids.
Nancy Lost Her Battle With Ovarian Cancer in 2010
After nearly 30 years of marriage, Martin lost Nancy in 2010 following her battle with ovarian cancer. She was 59 years old. Her death marked a devastating chapter for the actor, who has spoken candidly about the profound impact the loss had on him and their family.
In the years since, Martin has reflected on how grief reshaped his outlook on life. “With real tragedy, you become a little more daring,” he told AARP in 2019. “It’s the yin to the yang: the positive part of life’s dark side.”
She Was a Proud Mother of Three
NEW YORK – AUGUST 17: (L-R) Katherine Short, Henry Short, Nancy Short, Martin Short and Oliver Short attend the after party for the opening night of “Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me” at Tavern on the Green on August 17, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Martin and Nancy built their family through adoption, welcoming daughter Katherine in 1983, followed by sons Oliver in 1986 and Henry in 1989. Nancy ultimately stepped away from acting to focus on raising their children, dedicating herself to family life.
Tragically, the Short family suffered another heartbreaking loss in February 2026 when their eldest daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, died at age 42. The Short family said they were “devastated” by the loss and asked for privacy as they mourned her passing. Katherine was a licensed clinical social worker who devoted her life to helping others and advocating for mental health awareness.
After her mother’s death in 2010, Martin has spoken candidly over the years about how his children coped with deep loss together. “It’s been a tough two years for my children,” he told The Guardian in 2012.
“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.”
Martin Says He Still “Talks” to Nancy
Years after Nancy’s death in 2010, Martin has shared that he still feels deeply connected to his late wife. Reflecting on their decades-long relationship, he told AARP, “Our marriage was a triumph. So it’s tough. She died in 2010, but I still communicate with her all the time. It’s ‘Hey Nan,’ you know? How would she react to this decision or that, especially regarding our three kids.”
He added, “I believe that when people die, they zoom into the people that love them. The idea that it just ends, and don’t speak of them — that’s wrong….to me, she’s still here.”
