Katherine Short, Daughter of Comedian Martin Short, Legally Changed Her Surname Over a Decade Ago
Katherine Short, the daughter of renowned comedian Martin Short, passed away at the age of 42 earlier this week. According to documents recently obtained by TMZ, she had legally changed her last name more than ten years ago to protect her privacy and professional life.
Name Change Filed in 2012 to Avoid Harassment
In 2012, Katherine filed a petition to change her name from "Katherine Elizabeth Short" to "Katherine Elizabeth Hartley." The change was officially granted by a judge in early 2013. In the court documents, she explained her reasoning, stating, "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." This move highlights the challenges faced by children of celebrities in maintaining personal and professional boundaries.
Career as a Mental Health Advocate and Social Worker
Katherine maintained a low public profile throughout her life, focusing on her career as a social worker and therapist. She specialized in treating anxiety, depression, and suicidality, working at prestigious institutions such as UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years and later at the Camden Center's outpatient program. She was also an active advocate for mental health, collaborating with the charity Bring Change 2 Mind to reduce stigma around mental illness.
Personal Struggles and Advocacy
Despite her professional dedication to mental health, Katherine faced her own struggles with mental illness. Reports from Page Six indicate that she had a service dog named Joni, whom she named after folk icon Joni Mitchell, to assist her in the years leading up to her death. On her now-deleted professional website, she reportedly wrote, "Joni is my incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years." Her death was reported by TMZ as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, underscoring the profound impact of mental health issues.
Family Background and Legacy
Katherine was one of three adopted children of Martin Short and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman. Her decision to change her name reflects a desire to carve out an identity separate from her famous family, while her work in mental health advocacy leaves a lasting legacy in the field. Her story brings attention to the importance of privacy and mental health support in today's society.
