You see them everywhere lately. Martin Short and Steve Martin, the comedy world's most enduring "odd couple," trading barbs on stage or solving fictional murders in a posh Manhattan apartment building alongside Selena Gomez. Because he’s so omnipresent in our living rooms right now, people are constantly asking: Who is Martin Short married to? It's a question with a deeply moving, somewhat unconventional answer.
If you are looking for a current spouse, a wedding ring, or a "plus-one" on the red carpet, you won’t find one. Honestly, Martin Short is single. But if you ask him, he might tell you he’s still very much in a partnership. It just doesn't look like most people expect.
The Woman Behind the Legend: Nancy Dolman
Martin Short was married to Nancy Dolman for thirty years. They weren't just a "Hollywood couple"; they were a foundational unit in the industry. They met back in 1972. It was the Toronto production of Godspell, a show that basically birthed a whole generation of comedy royalty. We’re talking Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, and Victor Garber.
Nancy was a force of her own. She was a gifted comic actress and singer, known for her recurring role as Annie Selig Tate on the sitcom Soap. She also toured with Jesus Christ Superstar. Basically, she had the chops. But in 1985, she made a choice that’s pretty rare in show business: she retired. She wanted to be a stay-at-home mother and raise their family.
They tied the knot in 1980. They stayed married until her heartbreaking death in 2010.
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A Marriage That Never Truly Ended
Nancy passed away from ovarian cancer at the age of 58. For many, that would be the end of the story. For Short, it was a transition. He’s been remarkably open about how he still communicates with her. He calls it "internal" talking.
"I'll call out, 'Hey, Nan!' Forming the words just feels good in the throat," he wrote in his memoir.
He hears her voice. He knows where she’d agree with him and where she’d roll her eyes. It’s a level of devotion that’s rare to see talked about so candidly. He describes their thirty-year marriage as a "triumph." When you have a triumph like that, maybe you don't feel the need to try and replicate it with someone else.
What About the Selena Gomez Rumors?
If you've spent any time on social media recently, you’ve probably seen the "shipping." Fans love the chemistry between the Only Murders in the Building trio. Because Short and Selena Gomez are so close, and because he’s often seen "escorting" her at events, the internet did what the internet does.
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They started wondering if there was something more.
Basically, no. There isn't. Short has laughed these rumors off. He treats Selena like a niece or a "crazy uncle" would. They are genuinely close friends. In fact, Steve Martin and Martin Short even joked about being the "two weird uncles" when Selena got engaged to Benny Blanco.
He’s not looking for a new wife. He’s busy being a legendary friend and a devoted father to his three children: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry.
Why He Never Remarried
It’s been over fifteen years since Nancy passed. In Hollywood time, that’s an eternity. Most people would have had three more marriages by now. Short has stayed the course.
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He once noted that tragedy makes you more daring. It’s the "yin to the yang." He didn't become a victim of his grief; he became empowered by the foundation Nancy helped him build. He’s mentioned that he would have been divorced five times if he hadn't found the "right person" the first time. He wasn't interested in faking a relationship or playing a game just to avoid being alone.
- The Family Legacy: Their three children were all adopted. Katherine is a social worker, Oliver has worked at Warner Brothers, and Henry has spent time traveling.
- The Social Circle: When Nancy died, friends like Nora Ephron and Eugene Levy were at the door immediately. He has a massive support system that fills the void.
- The Work: He’s arguably more successful now than he was thirty years ago. Between his tours with Steve Martin and the Hulu hit, he doesn't seem to have much downtime.
What Really Matters
When people search for who is martin short married to, they are usually looking for gossip. What they find instead is a story about the kind of love that actually lasts.
Short lives in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, and keeps a home on Lake Rosseau in Ontario. He’s a man at peace. He’s proven that you can be "single" while still being deeply connected to the person you loved most.
If you want to understand the man better, read his memoir I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend. It’s where he really dives into the "conversations" he still has with Nancy. It changes the way you look at his comedy. There's a layer of resilience there that explains why he's still at the top of his game at 75.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Only Murders in the Building on Hulu to see his current work.
- Look for his 2014 memoir if you want the full, unfiltered story of his marriage.
- Don't believe every TikTok rumor about him and his co-stars; he’s a professional through and through.