Martin Short's Show Unaffected by Daughter's Tragic Death, Filming to Proceed
The recent family loss of comedian Martin Short has not disrupted the filming schedule for his popular Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building. Short, aged 75, experienced the devastating loss of his eldest daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, who died by suicide at her Los Angeles home on Monday, February 23, at the age of 42.
Impact on Personal Appearances and Tours
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Short has made several adjustments to his professional commitments. He cancelled a series of comedy shows with his co-star Steve Martin, aged 80, and was notably absent from the 2026 Actor Awards, despite receiving two nominations. During the ceremony, his absence was highlighted when Jenna Ortega announced the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, with Short represented only by a still photo on screen.
Additionally, Short and Martin postponed their comedy tour dates, including shows in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, due to unforeseen circumstances. However, upcoming tour dates in March, April, and September have not yet been officially postponed.
Filming Schedule Remains Unchanged
Despite these personal setbacks, the production of Only Murders in the Building is set to continue without delay. According to a report from TMZ, the show is not currently in production, as the upcoming sixth season is scheduled to film in London in a few months. A source confirmed that the production schedule has not been affected by Katherine's death, and filming will proceed as planned.
The series, which was renewed for a sixth season in October 2025, follows three New York City neighbors—Short, Martin, and Selena Gomez—who bond over true-crime podcasts and investigate murders in their building. Short portrays theater director Oliver Putnam, while Gomez plays Mabel Mora and Martin stars as retired actor Charles-Haden Savage.
Support from Co-Stars and Friends
In a show of solidarity, both Steve Martin and Selena Gomez skipped the Actor Awards to support Short during this difficult time. Celebrity friends, including Meryl Streep, have also rallied around Short to offer comfort. A representative for Short issued a statement expressing profound grief and requesting privacy for the family, describing Katherine as beloved and remembered for the joy she brought into the world.
Katherine, a licensed clinical social worker with a master's degree from the University of Southern California, was last seen publicly celebrating her 40th birthday in 2023 with her father and a group of friends, including Catherine O'Hara and Goldie Hawn. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed her death, ruling out foul play after she had not been heard from in 24 hours.
If you are struggling, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 for help and support.
