Why Martin Short’s daughter Katherine changed her name before her death

Katherine Short changed her last name to separate herself from her famous father, Martin Short, and focus on her work as a social worker.

Following news of her shocking death at 42 on Feb. 23, Page Six obtained documents that showed she filed to change her name from “Katherine Elizabeth Short” to “Katherine Elizabeth Hartley” in 2012.

“My father is a public figure. I am a psychiatric social worker,” Katherine explained in the document, first obtained by TMZ. “I am worried about potential harassment from future patients resulting from my association with my father.”

The motion was ultimately granted in early 2013.

As we previously reported, Katherine lived her life out of the spotlight and had an extensive career in social work, even opening a private practice.

She dedicated her life to help others struggling with mental health issues, but admitted she had her own struggles as well.

In Katherine’s since-deleted professional website, she shared a photo and bio of her service dog, Joni, who “has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years.” 

But in recent years, Katherine did not show any “indication” that she was struggling before dying by suicide earlier this week.

“Katherine was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” her neighbor told Us Weekly Wednesday, noting that they would “hear and see her laughing with friends” on her front porch at times.

The neighbor added that Katherine “always said ‘Hi’” and clearly took pride in her Hollywood Hills, Calif. home.

Katherine died on Feb. 23. She was 42 years old.

On Tuesday, a rep for the LAFD confirmed to Page Six that they responded to a call at Katherine’s address at 6:41 p.m. local time.

The “Only Murders in the Building” star’s rep later confirmed her passing in a statement.

“The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world,” the message reads.

Katherine was the adopted daughter of the comedian, 75, and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died from cancer in 2010. The couple also adopted sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.

Katherine’s final public appearance was in October 2023 when she celebrated her 40th birthday at the Grand Master Recorders eatery in Hollywood.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.