Why nominee Martin Short isn't at Actor Awards 2026 ceremony
Why nominee Martin Short isn't at Actor Awards 2026 ceremony
Joey NolfiMon, March 2, 2026 at 12:59 AM UTC
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Katherine Short and Martin Short in 2011Credit: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic
Only Murders in the Building nominee Martin Short is skipping Sunday's 2026 Actor Awards ceremony due to a recent family tragedy.
Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that the 75-year-old comedian and actor is not present at the show following the death of his daughter, Katherine, on Monday. Katherine, who worked as a licensed clinical social worker, died by suicide at age 42.
Short's absence from the Actor Awards — formerly known as the SAG Awards — comes days after his comedy tour with fellow Only Murders star Steve Martin was postponed.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Steve Martin & Martin Short's shows on February 27th in Milwaukee and February 28th in Minneapolis have been postponed," a representative for Short previously told EW. "Tickets will be honored for a future rescheduled date."
Martin Short and daughter Katherine Short in 2006Credit: James Devaney/WireImage
Shortly after Katherine's death, a representative for her father provided a statement to EW, saying, "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."
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Katherine was one of three children — also including Oliver, born 1986, and Henry, born in 1989 — Short shared with wife Nancy Dolman, who died from ovarian cancer in 2010.
Though he's not in attendance, Short will still compete for two awards at Sunday's Actor Awards ceremony, including as an individual in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series category as well as part of the Only Murders in the Building ensemble.
Martin Short, Steve Martin, Selena Gomez in 'Only Murders in the Building'Credit: Disney/Patrick Harbron
Short previously told PEOPLE in 2022 that he had a renewed focus on balancing his family life with his professional career.
"Working 15 hours a day? That would be terrible. We should eliminate things that give us stress or make us unhappy. And I think it’s unbecoming at 72 to be 100 percent obsessed with your career," he said at the time. "My life, my children, my friends — I have great joy in that."
The 32nd annual Actor Awards stream live on Netflix on Sunday, March 1, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. See the full list of winners.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
