Martin Short

Martin Short – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Discover the life and career of Martin Short — the Canadian-American comedy legend behind SCTV, SNL, Three Amigos, and Only Murders in the Building — including his humor, versatility, and standout quotes.

Introduction

Martin Hayter Short (born March 26, 1950) is an actor, comedian, writer, and performer whose career has spanned decades across sketches, films, stage, and television.

Though born in Canada, Short holds dual Canadian and American citizenship and is celebrated on both sides of the border.

Renowned for his energy, character work, and comedic audacity, Short has created characters like Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick, and he remains a vibrant presence in contemporary TV with Only Murders in the Building.

Early Life and Family

Martin Short was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as the youngest of five children to Olive (née Hayter) and Charles Patrick Short.

• His mother, Olive, was a concertmistress with the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra.

• His father, Charles, emigrated from Northern Ireland and worked in the Canadian steel industry (Stelco).

• Short experienced early family tragedies: when he was 12, his eldest brother David died in a car accident.

• His mother died of cancer in 1968, and his father passed away two years later.

Growing up in Hamilton, Short was exposed to both music and performance early, giving him a foundation for his later theatrical and comedic instincts.

He attended Westdale Secondary School and later studied at McMaster University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (in Social Work) in 1971.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & Sketch Comedy (1970s – 1980s)

• Soon after college, Short moved into theater and musical productions. He landed a breakout early role in Godspell in Toronto around 1972, performing alongside future luminaries like Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and Paul Shaffer.

• Short became associated with Second City Toronto / SCTV, contributing sketch writing and performances.

• In the late 1970s, he transitioned into Canadian television and theatrical productions, building his comedic portfolio.

• In 1984–85, Short joined Saturday Night Live (SNL), bringing over beloved characters and fresh comedic voices.

• His SNL work revitalized the show at a time when it needed new energy and creativity.

Film, TV, and Theatre Highlights

Over the years, Short expanded into film, television, and stage, often blending comedic and dramatic skills:

• Memorable films include Three Amigos! (1986), Innerspace (1987), Father of the Bride (1991), Captain Ron (1992), Mars Attacks! (1996), Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), and The Santa Clause 3 (2006).

• On stage, he starred in Broadway musicals such as The Goodbye Girl (1993) and Little Me (1998–1999), winning the Tony Award for Little Me.

• He created and performed (in television) the character Jiminy Glick, a wildly unpredictable entertainer-interviewer, notably in Primetime Glick.

• In recent years, Short co-stars in the critically acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building (2021–present) alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. His performance has garnered Emmy and SAG nominations.

• Notably, in 2025, he won his first SAG Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building.

Short has also delved into dramatic roles occasionally. For instance, he appeared in The Morning Show as a more serious, morally ambiguous character—a reminder of his range.

Historical Context & Place in Comedy

• Short emerged from a rich milieu of Canadian sketch comedy in the 1970s and 1980s, a period when SCTV was a springboard for many comic talents (Levy, Martin, Radner).

• His brand of character-driven, often absurdist comedy has set him apart from more conventional stand-up comedians, making him a unique figure in comedy history.

• As he aged, he successfully navigated transitions: from sketch to film to stage to prestige streaming television. Many comedians struggle to adapt to changing media landscapes, but Short has retained relevance.

• His collaborations with peers like Steve Martin reflect both camaraderie and mutual respect in the comedy world.

Legacy and Influence

Martin Short’s legacy is multifaceted:

1. Iconic characters & comic voice
   Ed Grimley, Jiminy Glick, and others remain widely recognized and quoted. His combination of physical comedy, vocal range, and absurdity influences younger comedians.

2. Longevity in a fickle industry
   Maintaining a presence across decades in changing media speaks to his adaptability, professionalism, and creative drive.

3. Cross-genre respect
   Short is respected not only for humor but for musical theater, writing, and occasional drama, demonstrating a versatility rare among comedians.

4. Inspiring resilience
   His personal life included loss (his wife Nancy Dolman passed away in 2010) and early family tragedies. Yet he continued to pursue his art.

5. Cultural bridge
   As a Canadian-American figure, Short has bridged entertainment spheres between both countries, contributing to the broader North American comedy culture.

Personality, Style & Creative Traits

• Energetic & expressive — Short often brings theatricality, physical whimsy, and bold character choices to his work.

• Inventive & theatrical — Rather than relying solely on jokes, he often approaches roles as character-driven performances, with backstory, mannerisms, and emotional beats.

• Collaborative — His career includes many ensemble and partnership works (e.g. with Steve Martin, in sketch troupes), showing he thrives in interplay.

• Emotional depth under humor — Even in comedic roles, Short can inject vulnerability or pathos, giving characters dimension rather than flat caricatures.

• He has spoken in interviews about memory, improvisation, and the continuous desire to stay curious and fresh — refusing to be complacent in a long career.

Memorable Quotes of Martin Short

Here are some standout quotes that reflect Short’s wit, insight, and comedic philosophy:

• “I remember one time someone told me that when you see an elephant in your dreams, it means something. I said, ‘I do not care what it means — I just hope it doesn’t sit on me.’”

• “I’m not doing this to become a better actor. I’m doing this so I can keep fooling people into believing I’m good.”

• “I feel guilt during the time between when a project ends and when I start something new.”

• “I don’t want to be a tourist in my own life.”

• On aging and reinvention: “As director Larry Kasdan once said to me, ‘You never finish; they just make you stop one day.’”

(Note: Some of these are paraphrased or compiled from interviews and retrospectives.)

Lessons from Martin Short’s Journey

• Reinvention is essential. Short has shifted fluidly across formats and genres — sketch, film, Broadway, streaming — staying relevant by evolving.

• Character and risk matter. He often takes comedic risks and builds deep characters, not just surface jokes.

• Balance legacy and curiosity. Even after decades, he continues exploring new territory (e.g. Only Murders in the Building).

• Work with others you respect. His partnerships with peers like Steve Martin have enriched his career and offered creative synergy.

• Bring heart to humor. He demonstrates that laughs and sincerity can coexist; emotional truth underlies many of his best bits.

Conclusion

Though born in 1950 and beginning his career decades ago, Martin Short remains a lively, inventive force in comedy and acting. His path — from Canadian theater troupes to SCTV, SNL, Broadway, film, and now contemporary streaming hits — is a testament to the power of character, risk, and adaptability.

Whether you know him as Ed Grimley, Jiminy Glick, or Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building, Martin Short exemplifies how a true comic continues to learn, shift, surprise, and endure. His career invites both laughter and respect, and his voice remains uniquely his own.

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