Born March 26, 1950, the Canadian comedian has built a career spanning over five decades, winning audiences with his energy and memorable characters. From SCTV to his current hit series alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez, Short remains one of entertainment’s most versatile performers.
Who Is Martin Short? Career Overview
Martin Hayter Short is a Canadian comedian, actor, and writer who gained prominence through sketch comedy. His work spans television, film, and Broadway, earning him recognition as one of the most accomplished entertainers of his generation.
Short has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, two SAG Awards, and a Tony Award. He created iconic characters like Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick that became cultural touchstones. In 2019, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian honor.
The Hamilton, Ontario native studied social work at McMaster University before pursuing acting. His first paid acting job came in March 1972, playing a plastic credit card in a Charge-It television commercial. That same year launched his professional career when he landed a role in the Toronto production of Godspell.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Short is the youngest of five children born to Olive and Charles Patrick Short in Hamilton, Ontario. His mother served as concertmaster for the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, while his father worked as an executive at Stelco, a major Canadian steel company.
Tragedy shaped Short’s early years. His eldest sibling, David, died in a car accident in 1962 when Martin was just 12. When he was 17, his mother passed away from cancer, and two years later, his father died. Despite these losses, Short found solace in comedy and performance.
The 1972 Toronto production of Godspell featured an extraordinary cast that included Victor Garber, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, Jayne Eastwood, and Gerry Salsberg, with Paul Shaffer as musical director. This production launched multiple comedy careers and connected Short with future collaborators.
During the Godspell run, Short dated Gilda Radner before ultimately marrying Nancy Dolman, who was Radner’s understudy. The couple married in 1980 and adopted three children together. Dolman died of ovarian cancer in 2010, a loss Short has spoken about with touching honesty.
SCTV and Saturday Night Live Success
In March 1977, Short joined the Toronto Second City stage, taking over for John Candy in The Wizard of Ossington. He later joined SCTV where he developed characters that would define his career.
On SCTV, Short became known for characters like Ed Grimley, defense attorney Nathan Thurm, and songwriter Irving Cohen. Ed Grimley, with his hiked-up pants and distinctive hairstyle, became so popular that it spawned its own animated series.
Short joined Saturday Night Live for the 1984-85 season, helping revive the show after Eddie Murphy’s departure. His SNL characters included many holdovers from SCTV, particularly Ed Grimley, reimagined as a triangle-playing Wheel of Fortune fanatic. He also impressed viewers with impressions of Jerry Lewis and Katharine Hepburn.
His SNL work proved he could command a national audience, setting up his transition to film and broader television success.
Film Career Highlights
After his SNL stint, Short starred with Steve Martin in Three Amigos! (1986), marking the beginning of a decades-long friendship. The comedy, which also featured Chevy Chase, performed moderately at the box office but became a cult favorite.
Innerspace (1987) proved Short could steal any scene, with Variety noting he comes “into his own as a screen personality as a mild-mannered little guy who rises to an extraordinary situation”. His manic energy and impeccable timing made him a natural for character roles.
Short charmed movie audiences with his interpretation of flamboyant wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer in Father of the Bride (1991) and Father of the Bride: Part II (1995). His heavily accented, over-the-top performance became one of the most memorable aspects of both films.
Other notable film appearances include The Big Picture (1989), Captain Ron (1992), Clifford (1994), and Mars Attacks! (1996). Short also lent his voice to animated features, including The Prince of Egypt (1998), Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012), and Frankenweenie (2012).
Broadway Success and Tony Award Win
Short has had an active career on stage, starring in Broadway productions including Neil Simon’s musicals The Goodbye Girl (1993) and Little Me (1998-1999). His work in musical theater showcased yet another dimension of his talent.
Little Me earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, while The Goodbye Girl brought a nomination in the same category. Critics praised his ability to inhabit multiple characters with distinct personalities, all while singing and dancing.
In 2006, Short launched his satirical one-man show Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, featuring many of his best-loved characters. The show ran through January 2007, giving audiences a chance to see his full range of comedic personas in one evening.
Jiminy Glick and Television Projects
From 2001 to 2003, Short portrayed Jiminy Glick, a paunchy, passive-aggressive celebrity interviewer in the parody talk show Primetime Glick. Using prosthetics to transform his appearance, Short created a character that brilliantly satirized entertainment journalism. The show earned multiple Emmy nominations and spawned the 2004 film Jiminy Glick in Lalawood.
Short continued appearing on television throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Notable roles included lawyer Leonard Winstone in the third season of Damages (2010), which earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. He also appeared in Weeds (2011), How I Met Your Mother (2011), and had a regular role on Mulaney (2014-2015).
From 2019 to 2021, he portrayed Dick Lundy, a disgraced filmmaker, in the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
Touring With Steve Martin
Martin and Short’s friendship forged over three decades, developed when they met for the first time on the set of the 1986 film Three Amigos. The two maintained their connection through subsequent collaborations and personal friendship.
These two titans of comedy have been touring together since 2015, when they launched their first live show entitled A Very Stupid Conversation. The tour combined Short’s character work and Martin’s banjo playing with sharp comedy and improvisation.
In 2018, Netflix released its special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life, filmed at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The special earned four Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Variety Special.
Later, the pair announced a new tour: Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t, where Martin showed off his Grammy-winning banjo prowess and Short displayed his Tony-winning vocal chops. Their current tour, The Dukes of Funnytown, continues to sell out venues across North America.
Only Murders in the Building Breakthrough
Since 2021, Short has co-starred as Oliver Putnam in the Hulu comedy series Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. The show follows three neighbors who start a true-crime podcast after a murder occurs in their upscale Manhattan apartment building.
As Oliver Putnam, Short is in many ways the emotional core of Only Murders. Over four seasons, audiences have seen his character struggle to maintain a bond with his son, lament over what his career could have been, and fall in love with Loretta (Meryl Streep).
Short won his first-ever SAG Award in early 2025 for outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series. That same night, he and his co-stars won the SAG Award for comedy series ensemble. The recognition marked a career high for Short, coming decades into his already illustrious career.
The series has received critical acclaim since its debut. For the first season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating. The show has earned over 60 Emmy nominations across its run.
The fifth season premiered on September 9, 2025, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 95% approval rating based on 38 critic reviews. Season 5 finds the trio investigating the death of their beloved doorman Lester while mob connections emerge at the Arconia.
When asked about the show’s longevity, Short noted that a fifth season in streaming is very unusual, adding, “I think everyone’s amazed that it’s gone this long”.
Awards and Recognition
Short’s awards showcase his versatility across mediums:
1. Television:
- Two Primetime Emmy Awards (1983 for SCTV writing, 2014 for producing)
- Two Screen Actors Guild Awards (2025)
- 16 total Primetime Emmy nominations
- Multiple nominations for Damages, The Morning Show, and Only Murders in the Building
2. Theater:
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Little Me (1999)
- Tony nomination for The Goodbye Girl (1993)
3. Canadian Honors:
- Officer of the Order of Canada (2019)
- Canada’s Walk of Fame star
- Earl Grey Lifetime Achievement Award (1995)
- Canadian Screen Awards Lifetime Achievement Award (2016)
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
The Order of Canada represents the nation’s highest civilian honor, recognizing Short’s contributions to arts and culture.
Personal Life and Legacy
Short married actress Nancy Dolman in 1980. The couple adopted three children: Katherine (1983), Oliver (1986), and Henry (1989). After Nancy’s death from ovarian cancer in 2010, Short has spoken candidly about grief while maintaining his professional commitments.
In his 2014 memoir, I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, Short reflected on his career and personal losses with characteristic humor and honesty. The book offers insights into his creative process and the importance of maintaining joy despite life’s hardships.
Short sits on the advisory board of the Harold Ramis Film School at The Second City. He’s also participated in charity work, including hosting the 2017 Toronto benefit Take Off, Eh, which raised over $325,000 for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario.
What Makes Martin Short Unique
Short’s endurance comes from several factors. His commitment to character work over leading-man roles has given him longevity that many of his contemporaries haven’t achieved. He can disappear into personas like Ed Grimley or Jiminy Glick, making each feel like a fully realized person.
His energy remains remarkable. At an age when many performers slow down, Short brings the same intensity to his work that he did decades ago. Co-stars consistently mention his ability to make them laugh and keep sets loose and enjoyable.
Short has successfully navigated multiple entertainment eras without compromising his style. He excelled in the sketch comedy boom of the 1980s, adapted to character-driven film work in the 1990s, maintained relevance through reality and streaming in the 2000s, and found a career renaissance in prestige television in the 2020s.
Current Projects and Future
In addition to Only Murders in the Building, Short has taken on hosting duties for the revived Match Game on ABC, bringing his quick wit to the game show format. The show began airing in summer 2025 with a star-studded lineup of panelists.
Short continues touring with Steve Martin when his television schedule permits. The Dukes of Funnytown tour runs through 2025 and into 2026, with dates across North America.
At 75, Short shows no signs of slowing down. His work ethic, combined with his genuine love of performing, suggests he’ll continue entertaining audiences for years to come.
FAQs
How old is Martin Short?
Martin Short was born on March 26, 1950, making him 75 years old as of 2025.
What are Martin Short’s most famous characters?
Short created Ed Grimley (the hyperactive triangle player), Jiminy Glick (the obese celebrity interviewer), Nathan Thurm (the nervous defense attorney), and Franck Eggelhoffer (the wedding planner from Father of the Bride).
Has Martin Short won an Emmy?
Yes. Short has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and received 16 total nominations throughout his career. He won for writing on SCTV in 1983 and for producing work in 2014.
Are Martin Short and Steve Martin really friends?
Their friendship began on the set of Three Amigos in 1986 and has spanned decades. They’ve collaborated on multiple films, toured together since 2015, and currently co-star in Only Murders in the Building.
What is Martin Short’s role in Only Murders in the Building?
Short plays Oliver Putnam, a financially struggling Broadway director who co-hosts a true-crime podcast with his neighbors, Charles and Mabel. His character provides much of the show’s emotional depth and comedic energy.
Is Martin Short Canadian or American?
Short was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. While he has spent much of his career working in the United States, he maintains strong Canadian connections and was honored with the Order of Canada in 2019.
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