Martin Short Opens Up About Tragedy of a Lifetime in Netflix Doc ‘Marty, Life Is Short’ Trailer
Martin Short is known for his laughs – but his latest project hinges on something more personal.
A trailer for an upcoming Netflix documentary Marty, Life is Short (out May 12) gives you a glimpse of the ups and downs that defined the beloved comedian’s life. And, in true Short fashion, even the hardest times come with a wink. At one point, he joked to his brother Michael that he “had a quick phone call at the funeral home.”
“There was laughter during those years. … That’s the point,” he said. “In life, sometimes you hit a green light, and sometimes, for no reason, it’s red.”
The film doesn’t shy away from a dramatic loss. Most recently, Short’s daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, died by suicide in February. He was 42 years old.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a representative for the star confirmed to Page Six on February 24.
“The Short family is devastated by this loss, and requests privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”
Alongside the difficult moments, the trailer includes intimate family shots – including a brief dance scene with his young children – that emphasize how important fatherhood has been in his life.
“Being a father, it’s as true as his breath,” said comedian Andrea Martin in the film.
Losing has been a brief affair since childhood. He was only 12 years old when his older brother died in a car accident. Within a few years, he lost both of his parents – his mother to cancer when he was 17, and his father to a stroke not long after.
However, he often points to comedy as his focus. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, Short recalled growing up in a home full of “big jokes in the house growing up. Lots of laughter.”
Reflecting on that early experience, he added: “I think the reason all of that didn’t get lost on me was because I had a solid foundation.” Those situations are terrible but I think they either empower you or you become a victim of them.”
Later, Short found lasting love with his wife, Nancy Dolman, to whom he was married for 36 years before she died of ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58. Looking back on that same conversation, she described him as “the right person,” adding, “We were together for 36 years, but I would have divorced five times if I hadn’t found the right person.”
The documentary also features his long-time friendships – including comedy legend Catherine O’Hara. A previously recorded interview with O’Hara, conducted before her death in January, appears alongside archived footage of the pair years ago.
“I feel like he can improve forever,” he said in the film.
Other clips capture their easy chemistry, from dancing together at home to a playtime where Short grabs her face and jokes, “I loved you on ‘Home Alone!’ You were amazing!” he said with a laugh.
If the trailer is any indication, Marty, Life is Short it won’t just revisit Short’s career – it will paint a full picture of the man behind it, who managed to keep finding humor, even when life gave him every reason not to.
