Martin Short delivered an emotional tribute to his late daughter Katherine at Selena Gomez's Rare Impact Fund Gala on Wednesday, eight months after her passing.
Short, 76, took the stage to present the inaugural Katherine Short Legacy Award, established in memory of his eldest child, who was a social worker dedicated to helping people through difficult times. Gomez explained that the award will recognize individuals who demonstrate a similar commitment to their communities.
Katherine died by suicide at the age of 42 on February 23, 2026, at her home in Hollywood Hills. Short candidly shared with attendees that it has been an exceptionally difficult year for him and his family.
"It has been the heartbreak of our family, as you can imagine," Short stated, according to an Instagram video shared by @elizabethdenton. He emphasized that both mental health issues and terminal illnesses, like the ovarian cancer that took his wife, are diseases.
"They are diseases, and sometimes diseases are terminal," Short continued. He reflected on his daughter's struggle with mental health, noting that she battled "extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she could until she couldn't."
Short's wife, Nancy Dolman, died in August 2010 at age 58 after battling ovarian cancer. The couple had adopted three children: Katherine, Oliver, 40, and Henry, 37.
The actor praised Gomez's benefit for its work in raising funds and awareness to help people understand that mental health is an illness, not something to be hidden or perceived as a family embarrassment. "Not to be hidden in the shadows or perceived as a family embarrassment," he said.
He acknowledged that the pain of losing his daughter will always be present. "My daughter's death will be devastating to my soul as long as I'll live," Short said, "and the pain about losing my daughter will always be present in my heart."
However, he added, "What we deeply love we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."
Short remembered Katherine's dedication as a clinical social worker, highlighting her efforts to promote open and compassionate conversations about mental health. Her commitment extended beyond her professional life into the community.
"So what an honor it is for me to be [here] helping present this award, which honors those creating lasting impact through their commitment to mental health and well-being," Short remarked.
He also spoke about his personal approach to grief, noting past tragedies, including the death of his brother in a car accident when he was 12 and the loss of both parents during his teenage years. "What it developed in me was this muscle of survival and handling grief and a perspective on it," he explained.
Short had previously addressed his daughter's passing in an interview with CBS Sunday Mornings in May, drawing parallels between her mental health struggles and his late wife's cancer battle. He expressed a desire to foster understanding around mental health and to destigmatize the word "suicide," viewing it as a potential final stage of an illness.
If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. or visit 988lifeline.org.