Before Conan O’Brien brought the Oscars to an official end on Sunday night the host took a moment to send his love to Martin Short, whose daughter Katherine recently died at age 42.
As he signed off from the ABC telecast, O’Brien shouted from the Dolby Theatre’s stage, “We love you Marty Short! Good night!”
Short was not in attendance at the Oscars. After Katherine’s death in February, the Only Murders in the Building actor postponed the dates for his comedy tour with longtime friend and collaborator Steve Martin.
Katherine was the eldest of the three children Short adopted with his late wife, Nancy Dolman, along with her two brothers, Oliver and Henry. “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a rep for Short said 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.”
😂🎬 Conan O’Brien closed out the #Oscars with a shoutout to Martin Short.
Classic Conan energy—ending the night with laughs, chaos, and nostalgia.
Fans are already clipping the moment. 👀🔥pic.twitter.com/8fmeVmg5D5
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
— Mf.GenZ (@mf_genz) March 16, 2026
Short has been a regular guest on O’Brien’s podcast O’Brien’s “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.” His most recent appearance was in 2025.
This year marked O’Brien’s second time hosting the Oscars. The comedian opened the show with an extensive monologue that found him cosplaying as Amy Madigan’s Weapons character Aunt Gladys. He ultimately struck a balance between politics and pop culture. “It’s the first time since 2012 that there are no British actors nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress,” he said. “A British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, well, at least we arrest our pedophiles.’”
In between jabs like these and bits about nominees Michael B. Jordan and Leonardo DiCaprio — and the notably not-nominated Amazon Studios — O’Brien celebrated the international efforts required to bring the movies being celebrated tonight, and every year, to life. He also made sure to take aim at Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet for his discourse-bombing opinions about the ballet and opera. “They’re just mad you left out jazz,” O’Brien said.
From Rolling Stone US
