Martin Short is the kind of artist who refuses to be boxed into a single label. He isn’t just funny—he’s a performer who can turn grief into humor and laughter into something unexpectedly profound. Born in 1950 in Hamilton, Ontario, Short has built a career that stretches across television, film, theater, and voice work, always with the same anarchic energy and commitment to character. His humor is physical, sharp, and often one beat ahead of what the audience expects. Since the 1980s, he has been a familiar face to multiple generations—whether as Ed Grimley on Saturday Night Live, as a scene-stealer in hit films, or now as the charmingly chaotic Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building (OMITB).

From Canada to Hollywood

Short first came to prominence on SCTV (Second City Television), sharing the stage with John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara—arguably one of the most talented comedy ensembles ever assembled. It was here that Short honed his gift for sketch work, improvisation, and creating iconic characters. His film debut came in 1986 with Three Amigos! alongside Steve Martin and Chevy Chase—a turning point that not only brought him to Hollywood but also introduced him to a lifelong collaborator and friend.

After Three Amigos!, Short’s filmography expanded quickly with titles like Innerspace, Pure Luck, Captain Ron, Clifford, and of course, Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel (1995), where his flamboyant wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer became an instant fan favorite. He lent his voice to beloved animated films, including The Prince of Egypt, Treasure Planet, and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Personal Life — Triumphs, Losses, and Resilience

Martin Short’s personal life has been marked by both joy and heartbreak. In 2010, he lost his wife, Nancy Dolman, after nearly three decades of marriage. The loss was devastating, but Short has spoken candidly about how he continues to “consult” Nancy in his mind when making life decisions, and how her death made him choose projects with more purpose. He is the proud father of three adopted children and remains deeply devoted to his family life, even as his schedule continues to be packed with work.

This mixture of humor and vulnerability is what makes Oliver Putnam such a compelling character. Oliver is an out-of-luck theater director, vain and theatrical, yet deeply hungry for love and validation—and there is a lot of Martin Short in him. The quick wit, the improvisational flair, the physicality—those are all Short trademarks. But Oliver’s fear of irrelevance, his desperation to be heard, and his talent for turning failure into theater feel like confessions from Short himself. Oliver isn’t just a character—he’s a distillation of Short’s decades of experience, a bridge between comedy and pathos.

The Steve Martin Connection — and a Tour That Became a Phenomenon

Short’s friendship with Steve Martin is one of the great Hollywood partnerships. They met on the set of Three Amigos! and have remained inseparable ever since. They reunited for Father of the Bride and its sequel, and then turned their friendship into a touring comedy show, An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life. The show sold out theaters, became a Netflix special (earning Emmy nominations), and solidified their status as one of comedy’s great duos.

Onscreen, their chemistry is so natural it hardly feels scripted—something that powers OMITB, where their banter feels like two old friends gossiping over coffee. Offscreen, they are true confidants who talk daily, trade jokes, and offer one another creative and emotional support.

The Meryl Streep Effect

The third season of OMITB introduced audiences to Meryl Streep’s Loretta Durkin, and with her came one of the most charming romantic arcs of the show: Loretta and Oliver. Their scenes together had such tenderness and spark that the internet immediately began speculating about an offscreen romance. Short quickly clarified that they are “just very close friends,” but their chemistry is undeniable. In many ways, this romantic storyline gave Short some of his richest material yet, showcasing Oliver’s vulnerability, longing, and ability to love—and it may have given Emmy voters even more reason to take notice.

Awards, Recognition, and What’s Missing

Martin Short’s trophy shelf is impressive: two Primetime Emmys (one for SCTV), two SAG Awards (including this year’s win for Best Actor in a Comedy Series), a Tony Award for Little Me on Broadway, and honors like the Order of Canada. Yet one glaring omission remains: he has never won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Despite multiple nominations, this category has eluded him—until, perhaps, tonight.

Facing Seth Rogen at the Emmys

This year’s race for Lead Actor in a Comedy is one of the tightest in recent memory. Short faces stiff competition from Jason Segel (Shrinking), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This), and the current frontrunner, Seth Rogen, for his acclaimed performance in The Studio. Rogen is the shiny new contender, and his show is very much part of the cultural zeitgeist right now.

But Short comes in with momentum. His SAG win earlier this year proved he has strong support within the actors’ branch, and his performance this season was one of his most nuanced yet—balancing Oliver’s absurdist energy with moments of real heartbreak. If Emmy voters are ready to reward a career of brilliance with a performance that feels like its culmination, tonight could finally be Martin Short’s night.

Rewarding Short wouldn’t just be about sentimentality. It would be recognizing that, at 74, he continues to reinvent himself, to create characters that resonate, to make audiences laugh and feel in equal measure. It would be saying that Oliver Putnam is not just a character in a hit streaming series, but a career-defining role for one of comedy’s greatest living actors.

If the Television Academy follows its heart, Martin Short could walk away with the Emmy he’s been chasing—grinning that signature grin that says he’s been in on the joke all along.