Martin Short's Late Wife Nancy Dolman: A Life in Entertainment

The actress and wife of the comedian passed away in 2010 after nearly three decades of marriage.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Martin Short, the star of "Only Murders in the Building," was married to fellow actress Nancy Dolman for nearly 30 years until her death from cancer in 2010 at the age of 58. The couple met in 1972 while working on the musical "Godspell" and went on to have three children together - Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. Dolman took a break from acting to raise their family, but she had appeared in TV shows like "Soap" and "Custard Pie" earlier in her career. Short has spoken about the profound impact of losing his wife, saying it encouraged him to take more risks in life.

Why it matters

Martin Short's marriage to Nancy Dolman was a long-lasting partnership in both their personal and professional lives. Her passing was a significant loss for Short and their family, and his reflections on their relationship and her legacy provide insight into the challenges of grief and the importance of cherishing loved ones.

The details

Short and Dolman met in 1972 while working on the Toronto production of the musical "Godspell," where Dolman was the understudy for Short's then-girlfriend Gilda Radner. After Short and Radner broke up, he pursued a relationship with Dolman. They married in 1980 and went on to have three children together - Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. While Dolman took a break from acting to raise their family, she had previously appeared in recurring roles on TV shows like "Soap" and "Custard Pie." Tragically, Dolman passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58, an event that Short has said encouraged him to take more risks in life.

  • Short and Dolman met in 1972 while working on the musical "Godspell" in Toronto.
  • Short and Dolman got married on December 22, 1980.
  • The couple's first child, Katherine, was born in December 1983, followed by Oliver in April 1986 and Henry in August 1989.
  • Dolman passed away from ovarian cancer in August 2010 at the age of 58.

The players

Martin Short

An acclaimed actor, comedian, and singer best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" and in films like "Father of the Bride." He was married to Nancy Dolman for nearly three decades until her death in 2010.

Nancy Dolman

An actress who appeared in recurring roles on TV shows like "Soap" and "Custard Pie." She met Martin Short in 1972 while working on the musical "Godspell" and they were married from 1980 until her death from cancer in 2010.

Gilda Radner

A legendary comedian and actress who was Martin Short's girlfriend when he first met Nancy Dolman.

Katherine Short

The eldest child of Martin Short and Nancy Dolman, who sadly passed away at the age of 42 in 2023.

Oliver Short

One of Martin Short and Nancy Dolman's three children, who went on to work behind the scenes in the film and television industry.

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What they’re saying

“She died in 2010, but I still communicate with her all the time. It's 'Hey Nan,' you know? 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.”

— Martin Short, Actor (AARP The Magazine)

“With real tragedy, you become a little more daring. It's the yin to the yang: the positive part of life's dark side.”

— Martin Short, Actor (AARP The Magazine)

The takeaway

Martin Short's decades-long marriage to Nancy Dolman was a true partnership that endured even after her tragic passing. Their love story and the way Short has honored Dolman's memory serves as an inspiring example of how to cherish a life-long companion and find meaning in the face of profound loss.