Martin Short Once Helped Catherine O’Hara Through Her Marriage Troubles

Beloved “Schitt’s Creek” star Catherine O’Hara passed away at 71 on January 30, 2026. But before her death, she took part in her friend Martin Short’s documentary.

In “Marty, Life is Short,” many of Martin Short’s friends appear to comment on his decades-long comedy career. Just like many others, Catherine O’Hara had lovely things to say about the “Saturday Night Live” alum.

Now that the documentary is streaming on Netflix, fans are learning more about the special relationship that Catherine and Martin shared. At one point, he even saved her marriage.

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Catherine O’Hara Credits Martin Short With Keeping Her Marriage Together

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Martin Short and Steve Martin were incredibly close with Catherine O’Hara. They paused one of their comedy performances in January to honor the late actress after learning she had passed.

Now that “Marty, Life is Short” is available on Netflix, fans are getting another glimpse into their sweet friendship.

Short lost his wife, Nancy Dolman, in 2010 to ovarian cancer. But during their marriage, they were a widely loved and admired couple.

“Marty and Nancy. What a team, eh?” Catherine O’Hara says in the documentary. “I keep saying they’re an amazing team, but they really were.”

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The “Home Alone” star married production designer Bo Welch in 1992. Though they remained married until her death, they went through their share of marital issues.

“My husband and I went through a rough patch, and we went to therapy, and one of the questions [the therapist] asked is, ‘Do you know a couple whose relationship you would love to have, or you’d love to emulate?’ And we said, ‘Oh, we have these friends, Marty and Nancy,'” Catherine O’Hara fondly recalled in the documentary.

The therapist replied that many couples cited Martin Short and Nancy Dolman as being excellent examples. Though O’Hara was primarily friends with Martin Short, she was also incredibly fond of his late wife.

“She had such loving authority,” the actress remembered in the documentary.

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The Comedian Hopes Speaking About His Grief Will Help Others

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After losing Catherine O’Hara in January, another tragedy befell Martin Short. His daughter, Katherine, passed away from suicide in February.

While the pain was unimaginable, the comedian hopes that using his platform to talk about his grief can help someone else struggling.

“If I said to the audience, any audience I was in, ‘How many have lost anyone from suicide?’ You’d be stunned by the hands that would go [up]. ‘How many have mental health in their family?’ You’d be stunned by the hands that would go up,” Short recently told “CBS Sunday Morning.”

“So, why pretend that this is your own pain? Maybe by sharing your pain, it will help other people’s pain,” he bravely shared.

Fans wish the best for Martin Short as he navigates this difficult chapter in his life. “Marty, Life is Short” is now streaming on Netflix.