Katherine Short legally changed her last name to distance herself from her famous father, Martin Short, and to focus on her career as a social worker.
After her tragic death at 42 on February 23, Page Six reported that documents revealed she had filed to change her name from Katherine Elizabeth Short to Katherine Elizabeth Hartley in 2012.
In the paperwork, obtained by TMZ, Katherine explained: “My father is a public figure. I am a psychiatric social worker. I am worried about potential harassment from future patients resulting from my association with my father.”
Documents obtained by Page Six show that the social worker, pictured above with her father in 2008, legally changed her name from Katherine Elizabeth Short to Katherine Elizabeth Hartley in 2013. The request was approved in early 2013.
As previously reported, Katherine lived much of her life out of the spotlight, building a long and dedicated career in social work, including opening her own private practice. She focused on helping individuals struggling with mental health challenges, while openly acknowledging her own personal struggles.
On her now-deleted professional website, Katherine shared a photo and bio of her service dog, Joni, explaining that the dog “has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years.”
Katherine, pictured above with her father on The Late Show With David Letterman in 2006, devoted her life to helping others struggling with mental illness while openly acknowledging her own challenges.
In recent years, however, there were no visible signs that she was struggling before her death by suicide earlier this week.
“Katherine was a private person, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” her neighbor told Us Weekly on Wednesday, recalling that they would sometimes “hear and see her laughing with friends” on her front porch.
The neighbor added that Katherine “always said ‘Hi’” and clearly took pride in her home in the Hollywood Hills, Calif.
Katherine, pictured with her father at Bette Midler’s 60th birthday, passed away on Monday at the age of 42. Martin Short’s representative confirmed her death to Page Six on Tuesday.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, they responded to a call at Katherine’s residence at 6:41 p.m. local time on February 23.
A representative for the Only Murders in the Building star later confirmed her passing in a statement.
Katherine’s last public appearance was in October 2023, when she celebrated her 40th birthday at Hollywood’s Grand Master Recorders, surrounded by friends and notable guests.
“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 statement read.
Katherine was the adopted daughter of comedian Martin Short, 75, and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who passed away from cancer in 2010. The couple also adopted sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.
