Why Martin Short Has ‘Never, Never’ Gone To Therapy Despite Multiple Losses: ‘It’s Ok To Be Sad’
Martin Short has a much different approach to his mental health despite the darkness he has had to endure.
The comedian, often hailed as one of the funniest people on the planet, has lived an ironic life characterized by multiple deaths in his family from when he was young. Recently, he lost his daughter, Katherine Short.
However, the “Father of the Bride” star has never subscribed to therapy, and he shares why that has worked for him.
5In a new interview, Short opened up about how he has managed to navigate losing multiple loved ones through the years. “I’ve never been in therapy,” said the actor. “Never. Never.”
The Canadian native was 12 when he lost his brother David in a car accident, and that was the start of a string of deaths, with his parents following shortly after.
“When my brother and parents died, and I was now in this big house with the housekeeper at 19 and 20, it was Hamilton, Ontario, 1970. So it wasn’t about therapy; it was about no one. I didn’t know anyone,” he recalled.
Short noted he was all alone and kept busy by biking, painting, and writing. However, he also had the presence of his older siblings, which helped him keep going.
Nevertheless, Short insisted he wasn’t completely against therapy if the right situation presents itself, saying to IndieWire:
So, believe me, if I was suddenly depressed or in despair but didn’t know why, then I’d run to a therapist. But I’ve never been that way. I’m sad now, but you know what? I should be sad now. It’s OK to be sad.”
The Actor Leaned On Loved Ones Amid Intense Grief
5While the “Three Amigos” star hasn’t sought professional help, he doesn’t claim he has weathered the storms of life by himself.
He credits his close community of industry friends who were featured in his Netflix documentary, “Marty, Life is Short.”
“When loss and grief suddenly or subtly encompass your life. It’s your friends and family that help you through and remind you of the journey,” Short emotionally shared.
The 76-year-old also gave special credit to his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star, Meryl Streep, whom he has been romantically linked with.
“All those things, absolutely,” Short acknowledged, adding that “work is always good for grief because if you take it seriously and it still matters to you, then it’s the ultimate distraction.”
How Meryl Streep Helped Martin Short Amid Daughter’s Passing
5Short’s confession comes after close sources dished on how he was leaning on Streep amid dealing with the loss of his daughter. Katherine, a social worker, took her own life in her Los Angeles home in February 2026 at age 42.
“It’s like each one of them is exactly what the other person needs at this stage in life. It all feels incredibly effortless between them,” the insider said, per The Blast.
The source further noted that while Short and Streep have remained largely private about the truth of their relationship, “there’s no doubt they are in love.”
Martin Short’s Desperate Attempt To Save Daughter Revealed
5It is no doubt heartwarming that Short has the support of his co-star and friend, especially given the trauma of his daughter’s death earlier this year.
A report about the incident where Katherine was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound confirmed that the actor tried to reach his daughter before it was too late.
According to The Blast, the stand-up comic was deeply concerned about Katherine’s well-being after not hearing from her for more than a day. A frantic Short asked a friend to check on his daughter, who later found her unresponsive alongside a note on her door.
A Tragic Parallel Between Mother And Daughter
5The painful situation of Katherine’s loss was a double blow for Short, who lost her mother and his wife, Nancy Dolman, to ovarian cancer in 2010.
Reflecting on both losses, the actor looked back on his wife’s final days and how her final message to him was “Martin, let me go.”
As reported by The Blast, Short couldn’t help but draw similarities in how his daughter Katherine was seemingly asking to be released in her own way.
“I don’t see any difference between mental illness as a disease and cancer as a disease. In some cases, both are terminal. And in some cases, both are survivable,” he explained.
