Martin Short Spotted Out For First Time Since Daughter Katherine's Death

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Martin Short, the renowned comedian, was spotted out in public for the first time since the tragic death of his daughter Katherine by suicide last month. Short was seen having dinner with his longtime friend and 'Lost' co-creator J.J. Abrams in Santa Monica, California. The actor did not appear his usual cheerful self, as he is still grieving the loss of his daughter as well as the recent passing of his close friend Catherine O'Hara.

Why it matters

Short's public appearance is notable as the actor has largely kept out of the spotlight since his daughter's death, which has understandably been a devastating loss for him. The dinner outing with Abrams suggests Short may be starting to re-emerge and process his grief, though the paparazzi photos indicate he is still deeply affected by the tragedy.

The details

According to the report, Short was spotted on Friday evening getting into a car driven by J.J. Abrams in Santa Monica. The actor was wearing a black blazer over a button-down shirt, and did not have his usual cheerful demeanor, with no smile on his face as he sat in the passenger seat. Short's daughter Katherine, who had changed her name to Katherine Hartley, died by suicide last month at the age of 42 after struggling with mental health issues. In addition to his daughter's passing, Short has also been mourning the recent death of his longtime friend and 'SCTV' co-star Catherine O'Hara.

• On March 28, 2026, Martin Short was spotted out for the first time since his daughter Katherine's death by suicide last month.
• Katherine Hartley, formerly known as Katherine Short, died by suicide at the age of 42 in February 2026.

What’s next

Short and his longtime friend and comedy partner Steve Martin plan to resume their comedic tour on April 11, though the recent tragedies have understandably caused them to postpone shows.