Martin Short Parents: Meet Charles Patrick Short, Olive Hayter

Martin Short is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, singer, and writer. Short was born in Hamilton, Ontario, on March 26, 1950, to Olive Grace and Charles Patrick Short.

Martin Short’s mother was a concertmistress with the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, and his father was a corporate executive with Stelco, a Canadian steel company. His siblings and he were raised as Catholics.

Martin Short had three older brothers, David who is no longer alive, Michael, and Brian, as well as one older sister, Nora.

Martin Short’s father was an Irish Catholic emigrant from Crossmaglen, South Armagh in Northern Ireland, who came to North America as a stowaway during the Irish War of Independence.

Martin Short’s mother hailed from England and Ireland. She supported his early creative endeavors.

Martin Short’s eldest brother, David, was killed in a car accident in Montréal in 1962, when he was 12 years old.

His mother died of cancer in 1968, and his father died two years later from stroke complications . Short attended Westdale Secondary School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from McMaster University in 1971.

Martin Short has received medals from Queen Elizabeth II, including the 2002 Golden Jubilee and the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. Martin Short has two stars on Canada’s Walk of Fame