Katherine Elizabeth Short – Martin Short And Nancy Dolman’s Daughter

Katherine Elizabeth Short is the adopted daughter of renowned Canadian actor and comedian Martin Short and the late Canadian actress and singer Nancy Dolman.
Despite being raised in a family of entertainment behemoths, both of whom served their fans through their performances, Katherine chose a different path. She dedicated her life to serving humanity through selfless helping and healing.
Katherine Elizabeth’s personal and professional life prioritizes her service to others over the fame and glamour.
In her journey from studying psychology and gender sexuality studies to working at a pro bono law firm, her goal was to leave an impression on the world different from her parents’ legacy.
Let’s get to know more about her. Shall we?
NameKatherine Elizabeth ShortAge39 years oldDate of birthDecember 3, 1983.NationalityUnited States of AmericaParentsFather: Martin Short, Mother: Nancy DolmanCareerLicensed Clinical Social WorkersiblingsOliver PatrickHenry Hayter

Katherine Elizabeth Short Early Life

Katherine Elizabeth Short with her brother, Oliver Patrick, and parents, Nancy Dolman and Martin Short (Photo by Joan Adlen/Getty Images)
Katherine Elizabeth Short was born on December 3, 1983.
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman adopted Katherine because they couldn’t conceive. Dolman was 32 when Katherine joined the family.
Her biological parents are kept away from the spotlight, but Katherine grew up under the care of Martin Short and Nancy Dolman.
The celebrity couple adopted Katherine, the first child, who brought a bundle of joy to their family. They then gave a three-year gap before adopting her two siblings, Oliver Patrick Short, on April 29, 1986, and later adopted Henry in 1989. Making a wholesome family of five living together.
Katherine’s dad attempted to bring his kids into show business, giving them the necessary training from a young age.
Martin, her father, said, “None of them wanted to go into show business, and I pushed them.“
Despite growing up surrounded by the fame and fortune that came with Martin Short’s successful career in entertainment, Katherine never had any interest in pursuing show business, even when her father encouraged her to do so. Instead, she discovered a passion for helping others, ultimately becoming her life’s work.
Some may argue that Katherine is less likely to follow her adoptive father’s career path because they do not share the same DNA. However, biological relation alone is not enough for a child of a celebrity to necessarily follow the same career path as their parents.
Katherine Elizabeth Short tried. She tried making a song and joining the Broadway, but it was not just in her interest.
Career

Katherine Elizabeth portrait (katherinehartleylcsw.com)
Katherine Elizabeth Short had to choose between becoming a musician on Broadway or a Clinical Social Worker. She chose the latter, defining her as someone passionate about helping others.
While she was at New York University studying Psychology and Gender Sexuality, she played piano and wrote her music at age 22 in 2005. She was interested in joining Broadway, but that interest faded when she graduated with a degree in Psychology and Gender Sexuality from New York University in 2006.
She earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2010.
At this moment, she knew she was all into helping society.
During her first year of graduate school, she completed an internship at a pro bono law firm. A pro bono law firm, which is also referred to as a pro bono law practice or pro bono legal organization, is a legal entity that provides free legal services to individuals or organizations in need. “Pro bono” is a Latin phrase that translates to “for the public good.”
While working at the law firm, Katherine provided family therapy, advocacy, and case management for disadvantaged groups such as foster youth, low-income families, and political refugees.
Katherine received training at the West LA Veterans Administration, where she provided individual and group psychotherapy to veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
After graduating with her master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Katherine was hired by the University of California’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Los Angeles for four years.
At UCLA, Katherine gained experience in crisis management, advocacy, therapy (individual and group), and supporting families of those with mental illness or substance abuse. She also worked in various clinical settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and psychiatric consultation teams.
After passing her licensure exam, Katherine moved to Camden Center, where she provided cognitive behavioral therapy to individuals and groups at the dual diagnosis outpatient program. After passing her licensing, she returned to West LA Veterans Administration, running group workshops with Shari Foos LMFT under the program The Narrative Method.
Katherine Elizabeth Short is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works part-time at Amae Health Clinic.
She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, and mood disorders with therapy treatments such as psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapies. Her office is located at 520 South Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 490, Office 1, Los Angeles.
Katherine is also part of Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M), a charity that aims to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health.
Siblings
Katherine grew up with two siblings doing well or themselves in their chosen field.
Her immediate younger brother, Oliver Patrick Short, was born on April 29, 1986. He boasts an impressive career history in the broadcasting industry.
The youngest sibling in Katherine’s nuclear family is Henry Hayter Short, born on August 4, 1989.

He is an adventurous person who loves to explore and was an active member of the ski and snowboard club during his university days. After completing his studies, he started his career as a managed solutions group consultant at the Royal Bank of Canada and later became an analyst.
Henry works as a veterinary assistant at the Malibu Coast Animal Hospital.
Losing Her Mother
Katherine lost her mother, Nancy Dolman, to ovarian cancer in August 2010.
It was a dark period for the Shorts.
The family initially kept it a secret, mourning the loss in private until Martin Shorr revealed in an interview that his wife of 30 years had died.
Nancy Dolman lived a fulfilling life and was a successful actress and singer. Seeing that she was losing the battle with her cancer, she asked not to be buried when she died. She wanted her life celebrated, even suggesting a party. Despite the heartache of losing her, Martin honored her wishes, throwing a party with close friends and family at their lakehouse. She wanted her life celebrated, even suggesting a party.
Despite the heartache of losing her, the family honored her request. Instead of a burial, they threw a party with close friends and family at their lakehouse in Canada.
Dolman was cremated, and her ashes were spread from the dock of the Short family cottage onto the waters of Lake Rosseau, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Her family jumped into her ashes in the river.

Media Appearances
Katherine is not the type to grace the red carpet, but she made a few appearances with her father and looked stunning.
In May 2003, she graced the red carpet with her parents at the afterparty for The Producers (musical).
The Producers (musical) is a comedy with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. It is adapted from Brooks’s 1967 film of the same name and starred Jason Alexander and Martin Short.
Katherine Elizabeth Short was also spotted wearing a prom queen sash at Bette Midler’s “Hulaween” event as part of her outfit.

Katherine Elizabeth Short at the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted by Graydon Carter at the Sunset Tower Hotel on February 27, 2011 (Photo by Christopher Polk/VF11/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
Katherine also accompanied Martin to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2011, posing on the red carpet for several father-daughter snaps at the special event.
Katherine Elizabeth is living her best life outside of media attention. She also goes by Katherine Hartley. She is not on any social media platforms. Information about her husband or net worth is scarce.