Martin Short documentary ‘Marty, Life Is Short’ to premiere on Netflix May 12

Key facts

• Netflix will release ‘Marty, Life Is Short’ globally on May 12, 2026.
• The documentary is directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan.
• It includes never-before-seen archival footage and exclusive interviews with Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Rita Wilson, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, John Mulaney, Andrea Martin, and Paul Shaffer.
• Short’s sons Michael and Oliver appear in the film, offering personal family perspectives.
• The documentary covers Short’s career from SCTV and SNL to film roles and a Tony-winning Broadway run.
• Short’s wife Nancy Dolman died in 2010 at age 58; their daughter Katherine died by suicide in 2025 at age 42.
• Netflix will also add ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Father of the Bride Part II’ to its catalog in May 2026.
• Short, 76, has been active in comedy for more than 50 years.

A documentary 50 years in the making

Martin Short, the Canadian comic actor who has been a fixture of North American entertainment for half a century, is the subject of a new Netflix documentary titled ‘Marty, Life Is Short.’ The film, directed by Lawrence Kasdan — the writer-director of ‘The Big Chill,’ ‘Wyatt Earp,’ and ‘Body Heat’ — premieres globally on May 12, 2026. Kasdan, a four-time Oscar nominee, brings his narrative expertise to a project that the streamer calls the “definitive documentary” on Short. The film runs 1 hour 39 minutes and combines intimate, never-before-seen archival footage with exclusive interviews from Short’s closest friends and collaborators. The documentary traces Short’s evolution from his early breakout on ‘SCTV’ and ‘Saturday Night Live’ to scene-stealing film roles and a Tony-winning Broadway career. It is produced by Sara Bernstein, Meredith Kaulfers, Christopher St. John, Justin Wilkes, and Blair Foster, with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard executive producing through Imagine Documentaries.

A star-studded chorus of voices

The film features interviews with a constellation of entertainment figures who have worked alongside Short. Steve Martin, Short’s ‘Only Murders in the Building’ co-star, appears in the trailer with a characteristic quip: “I’ll tell you something about Marty. Let’s say you’re gonna host a dinner party. And you’re gonna invite Marty. And then it turns out Marty can’t come — you cancel the party.” Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Rita Wilson, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, John Mulaney, Andrea Martin, and Paul Shaffer also contribute. Mulaney offers perhaps the most succinct assessment: “Marty is good at life.” The documentary weaves together perspectives from every phase of Short’s career, from former SNL castmates to modern co-stars. Short’s sons, Michael and Oliver, appear in the film, providing deeply personal family reflections that have never been shown before.

Triumph shadowed by tragedy

For all his comedic brilliance, Short’s life has been marked by profound loss. His oldest brother died when Martin was 12; his parents died within two years of each other not long after. In 2010, his wife Nancy Dolman died at age 58. The couple had adopted three children together. Just a few months before the documentary’s release, Short’s daughter Katherine died by suicide at age 42. The film does not shy away from these personal tragedies, offering a portrait of a man who has channeled grief into resilience. “Marty, Life Is Short” is as much a celebration of survival as it is a career retrospective. The logline describes Short as “one of the most influential comedians of a generation,” and the documentary aims to show how his life offstage has shaped his art.

Netflix expands Short’s catalog

In the lead-up to the documentary’s release, Netflix is expanding its collection of Martin Short films. The streamer will add ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Father of the Bride Part II’ to its catalog in May 2026, though no exact date has been confirmed. Short co-stars in both comedies with frequent collaborator Steve Martin. The films, a 1990s remake of the 1950 original, follow George Banks (Martin) as his life is upended by his daughter’s wedding. Short plays Franck Eggelhoffer, an eccentric wedding planner. These titles join other Short content already on Netflix, including the stand-up special ‘Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life.’ The streamer recently organized a Catherine O’Hara collection to honor the late actress, and similar treatment for Short’s work may follow.

A continental treasure gets his due

Martin Short is not merely a national treasure for Canada, the documentary argues — he is a full-on continental treasure. The trailer opens with Steve Martin’s voiceover as Short is seen having the time of his life, a state that seems to define his public persona. At 76, Short shows no signs of slowing down. The documentary captures his enduring influence on comedy and his ability to connect with audiences across generations. From his manic energy on stage to his tender moments off it, the film presents a complete picture of an artist who has given five decades of laughter. “Marty, Life Is Short” releases globally on Netflix on May 12. The streamer has positioned it as a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike, a definitive account of a career that has shaped the landscape of comedy.

The bottom line

• ‘Marty, Life Is Short’ premieres on Netflix on May 12, 2026, directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
• The documentary features exclusive interviews with Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and others.
• It covers Short’s 50-year career from SCTV and SNL to film and Broadway, including never-before-seen archival footage.
• Short’s personal tragedies, including the deaths of his wife and daughter, are addressed in the film.
• Netflix will add ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Father of the Bride Part II’ to its catalog in May 2026.
• The film is produced by Imagine Documentaries, with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard as executive producers.