Interviewee Martin Short Wows Audience with Polite Reaction to Kathie Lee Gifford's Repeated Mention of His Late Wife as if Still Alive in an Uncomfortable Resurfaced Chat
Martin Short Demonstrates Grace in Unaware Interview About Late Wife
In a 2012 interview that resurfaced in 2025, Martin Short displayed a classy and generous response to a question about his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who passed away in 2010. The interview was with Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today Show, but at the time, Gifford was unaware of Dolman's passing.
Short, visibly shaken, responded with warmth and dignity, saying they had been married for 36 years and that he was "madly in love" with her. Instead of correcting Gifford or making the moment awkward, Short chose to honor his late wife with love and respect in his reply, demonstrating both emotional generosity and professionalism in the public eye.
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman met in 1972 during a Toronto production of Godspell. They got married in 1980 and were married for 30 years. Together, they adopted three children. Dolman retired from showbiz in 1985 to be a stay-at-home mom.
Their relationship was one of the most wholesome in Hollywood, and Short has been open about the impact of Dolman's passing on him. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Short said, "I believe Mom has zoomed into our souls."
The full Today Show clip of the awkward interview can be found below. A popular comment on Reddit lauded Short for his classy and generous response to Gifford's questions about his marriage.
Rumors about Short's romantic involvement with his Only Murders In The Building costar Meryl Streep began in 2024, but the two have not confirmed their relationship. In another incident, Gifford discussed Short's marriage with Dolman unaware that she had died during an awkward interview on the Today Show. After a commercial break, Gifford acknowledged her misstep and apologized to Martin and his family.
Short was gracious about Gifford's blunder, stating that it was a mistake and there was no ill will intended. This moment has been praised as a "masterclass" in how to be a respectful and gracious public figure when navigating sensitive topics.
Martin Short's topic of discussion revolving around his late wife, Nancy Dolman, in a 2012 interview highlighted his grace and generosity in the face of pop-culture's often harsh public scrutiny, a factor that sets him apart as an exemplary celebrity figure navigating the complexities of entertainment and personal life. Remarkably, even in an unaware interview about his marriage with Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today Show in 2012, Short showed an extraordinary ability to maintain his composure, addressing the topic with empathy and love, further underscoring his commitment to both pop-culture and personal integrity.
