Martin Short: The Life And Career Of A Comedy Legend

How Much is Martin Short Worth?

Let me tell you about Martin Short, a man who’s turned laughter into millions. The talented Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and producer boasts a net worth of $30 million. Now, this didn’t happen overnight. Martin’s journey began in sketch comedy shows like "SCTV" from 1981 to 1984, where his comedic genius shone brightly. He was also part of Toronto’s famed Second City comedy troupe before making the big move to New York. In 1984, he joined the iconic "Saturday Night Live," which skyrocketed him to international fame. Over the years, he’s built a successful film career with unforgettable performances in movies like "Three Amigos" (1986), "Father of the Bride" (1991), "Mars Attacks!" (1996), and "Jungle 2 Jungle" (1997). And let’s not forget his recent success with the hit Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," where he stars alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez.

Martin is a master of character creation, bringing to life memorable personas like Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick. Beyond acting, he’s also created several TV shows, including two iterations of "The Martin Short Show." In 1994, he was honored as a Member of the Order of Canada, and in 2019, he was promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada. If you’re curious about his personal life, Martin released his memoir, "I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend," back in 2014.

Early Beginnings: The Making of a Comedy Icon

Martin Short was born as Martin Hayter Short on March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His childhood was filled with music, thanks to his mother, Olive, who was the concertmistress of the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra. His father, Charles, worked as an executive for the Canadian steel company Stelco. Growing up in a Catholic household, Martin had four older siblings—David, Brian, Michael, and Nora. Tragedy struck when Martin was just 12 years old; his brother David died in a car accident. Then, in 1968, his mother passed away from cancer, followed two years later by his father, who succumbed to a stroke. Despite these hardships, Martin pursued his education, studying at Westdale Secondary School and earning a B.A. in Social Work from McMaster University in 1971. The university recognized his achievements by awarding him an honorary Doctor of Literature in 2001. In 1972, his career took a dramatic turn when he landed a role in "Godspell," alongside future comedy legends Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, and Andrea Martin, who later became his sister-in-law. It was during this time that Martin’s passion for acting truly blossomed.

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Television: Where Short Made His Mark

Martin Short’s television career began in 1972 when he appeared on Canadian shows like "Right On" and "Cucumber." He also made guest appearances on 10 episodes of "The David Steinberg Show" from 1976 to 1977. His big break came in 1977 when he joined Toronto’s legendary Second City improv group, leading to a writing job on the iconic "Second City Television" (better known as "SCTV") in 1981. Martin performed on the show from 1982 to 1983 before moving to "Saturday Night Live" in 1984. Even though he was only a cast member for one season, Martin has remained a beloved part of SNL, returning multiple times, including hosting three times and participating in the 40th anniversary special. He co-created the animated series "The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley" in 1988 and the NBC variety show "Maya & Marty" in 2016. Martin also created "Primetime Glick" (2001–2003) and two versions of "The Martin Short Show"—the 1994 sitcom and the 1999 syndicated talk show. Along the way, he’s guest-starred on shows like "Arrested Development" (2005), "How I Met Your Mother" (2011–2012), and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (2015). In 2018, he reunited with Steve Martin for the Netflix special "Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life."

A Journey Through Film

Martin’s film debut came in 1979 with "Lost and Found," but it wasn’t until 1986 that he made a significant return to the big screen with "Three Amigos," co-starring with Steve Martin and Chevy Chase. By the end of the decade, he’d added films like "Innerspace" (1987), "Cross My Heart" (1987), "Three Fugitives" (1989), and "The Big Picture" (1989) to his resume. In 1991, he reunited with Steve Martin for "Father of the Bride" and reprised his role in "Father of the Bride Part II" in 1995. Over the years, Martin has amassed over 40 film credits, including "Jiminy Glick in Lalawood" (2004) and "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" (2006). His voice has brought animated characters to life in projects like "The Prince of Egypt" (1998), "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012), and "The Addams Family" (2019).

From Broadway to the Spotlight

Martin’s stage career is nothing short of spectacular. In 1993, he starred in Neil Simon’s "The Goodbye Girl" on Broadway, earning his first Tony nomination. Six years later, he won a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in "Little Me." In 2003, he took on the role of Leo Bloom in a Los Angeles production of "The Producers." Martin then starred in the one-man show "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me" on Broadway from August 2006 to January 2007. He returned to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in 2015 to play James Wicker in "It's Only a Play." His stage work has earned him numerous accolades, proving his versatility as a performer.

Behind the Curtain: Martin’s Personal Life

Martin’s personal life is as rich and colorful as his career. He met Gilda Radner during a 1972 production of "Godspell," and they dated for a while. In 1974, he began a relationship with Gilda’s understudy, Nancy Dolman, and they married on December 22, 1980. Together, they adopted three children: daughter Katherine (born in 1983), son Oliver (born in 1986), and son Henry (born in 1989). Martin became a first-time grandfather in January 2020. Tragically, Nancy passed away from ovarian cancer in August 2010. Martin holds citizenship in Canada, the United States, England, and Ireland. His father was born in Ireland, and his uncle Paddy’s family still owns Short’s Pub in Northern Ireland. Martin is deeply involved in charity work, supporting organizations like the Women’s Research Cancer Fund, where he accepted the "Courage Award" on Nancy’s behalf in 2011. He’s also a member of Artists Against Racism and won $32,000 for Loyola High School on "Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in 2001.

Accolades and Recognition

Martin’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed. In 1983, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program for "SCTV." He earned another Outstanding Variety Special Emmy in 2014 for "AFI Life Achievement Award: Mel Brooks." His stage work has brought him numerous awards, including an Outer Critics Circle Award and Theater World Award for "The Goodbye Girl" in 1993 and an Outer Critics Circle Award and Tony Award for "Little Me" in 1999. Between 2016 and 2019, he won four Canadian Screen Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1995, he received the Earl Grey Lifetime Achievement Award. Martin was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2000, and in 2014, Canada Post released a series of stamps celebrating five Canadian comedians, including Martin Short, Mike Myers, Catherine O’Hara, Jim Carrey, and Olivier Guimond.

Real Estate: Where Martin Calls Home

Martin Short’s real estate portfolio reflects his success. For decades, his primary residence has been a 5,000-square-foot mansion in the Pacific Palisades, which he purchased in 1987 for $1.325 million. Today, the home is valued at an estimated $7-8 million. In 2014, he bought a 1,836-square-foot home in the Beachwood Canyon area of Los Angeles for $1.1 million, reportedly as a gift for his daughter. It’s conveniently located near his Pacific Palisades home. In April 2023, Martin added another property to his collection, paying $2.2 million for a home in Brentwood. Additionally, he owns a charming cottage on Lake Rosseau in Ontario, where he spends time relaxing and enjoying nature.

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