Martin Hayter Short, born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1950, began his professional career not as a comedian, but as a stage performer in the 1972 Toronto production of the musical Godspell. This initial theatrical experience provided the foundation for a transition into television writing and sketch comedy, eventually establishing him as a fixture in North American performance.
Formative Years and Education
The youngest of five children, Short attended Westdale Secondary School before entering McMaster University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work in 1971. Although he prepared for a career in social service, his focus shifted toward performing arts upon moving to Toronto. During his early years, he participated in local theater, including a staging of the drama Fortune and Men's Eyes, while commuting from his hometown of Hamilton.
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Short joined the Second City troupe in Toronto in 1977, replacing John Candy in their ninth revue. This involvement led to his participation in the television series Second City Television (SCTV). His career expanded to include writing for variety programs such as Everything Goes on the Global Television Network. He gained broader recognition through his work on Saturday Night Live and by creating characters including Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley.
Film and Broadway Career
His feature film debut occurred in the 1979 romantic comedy Lost and Found. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in films such as Three Amigos, Father of the Bride, and Mars Attacks! He also pursued work on Broadway, starring in The Goodbye Girl and Little Me. The latter performance resulted in a 1999 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Additionally, he has provided voice work for animated features including The Prince of Egypt and Frankenweenie.
Recent Collaborations
Since 2015, Short has toured nationally with Steve Martin. This partnership included the 2018 Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life. Beginning in 2021, he co-starred in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building alongside Martin and Selena Gomez. For his role in this series, he received a 2025 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Hamilton, Ontario
- Education: McMaster University, 1971
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical: 1999
- Canada's Walk of Fame: 2000
- Officer of the Order of Canada: 2019
- SAG Award, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: 2025
- Citizenship: Canada and United States
Questions readers ask
What was Martin Short's first paid acting job?
He played a plastic credit card inside a woman's purse in a 1972 Chargex television commercial.
Did Short ever study social work?
Yes, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from McMaster University in 1971.
Achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical — 1999
- Officer of the Order of Canada
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series — 2025
- Worked as actor, screenwriter and singer
