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

Key facts

• Netflix documentary 'Marty, Life Is Short' premieres May 12, 2026.
• Directed by Oscar nominee Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill, Body Heat).
• Features interviews with Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Rita Wilson, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, John Mulaney, Andrea Martin, Paul Shaffer.
• Includes Short's sons Michael and Oliver in personal family segments.
• Runtime is 1 hour 39 minutes with never-before-seen archival footage.
• Short's wife Nancy Dolman died in 2010 at age 58; daughter Katherine died by suicide in 2025 at age 42.
• Netflix will add Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II to its catalog in May 2026.
• Short is 76 years old and has been in comedy for over 50 years.

A continental treasure gets his due

Martin Short is not merely a national treasure — the Canadian comic actor and Hollywood superstar is a full-on continental treasure, as a new Netflix documentary aims to cement. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the Oscar-nominated writer-director of The Big Chill, Wyatt Earp, and Body Heat, 'Marty, Life Is Short' arrives on the streaming platform on May 12, 2026. The documentary's logline promises 'beautiful, intimate, never-before-seen archive footage alongside exclusive interviews with some of the most established and beloved stars,' offering a look at 'one of the most influential comedians of a generation.' Kasdan, who has been nominated for four Oscars, brings his considerable filmmaking pedigree to the project, which 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.

Five decades of comedy genius explored

The documentary traces Short's evolution from his breakout on SCTV and Saturday Night Live to scene-stealing film roles and a Tony-winning Broadway run. Kasdan combines never-before-seen archival footage with fresh interviews, revealing sides of Short most fans have never witnessed. The film is not just a career retrospective but a celebration of how one Canadian comedian shaped entertainment itself. Short, now 76, has dominated comedy for more than 50 years, transitioning from sketch comedy to unforgettable film roles and Broadway stardom. The documentary captures intimate moments and legendary collaborations spanning television, film, theater, and stand-up comedy. Netflix's Tudum describes it as the 'definitive documentary' on the beloved comic, giving viewers rare access to Short's personal reflections and untold stories.

A constellation of famous friends and family

The documentary features exclusive interviews from Short's closest friends and collaborators. Steve Martin, Short's 'Only Murders in the Building' co-star, provides a perfect summation of Short's big-persona-in-a-small-body reputation: '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, and John Mulaney also appear, with Mulaney perhaps summing Short up best: 'Marty is good at life.' Andrea Martin and Paul Shaffer contribute reminiscences from decades spent alongside Short in the entertainment trenches. The film also includes Short's sons, Michael and Oliver, adding deeply personal family perspectives never shown before. These are not quick soundbites but genuine reflections from people who know him best.

Personal tragedy behind the laughter

Despite his effervescent public persona, Short has endured profound personal loss. His oldest brother died when Martin was 12; not long after, his parents died within two years of each other. Short's wife, Nancy Dolman, died in 2010 at age 58. The couple had adopted three children together. Just a few months ago, their daughter Katherine died by suicide at age 42. The documentary does not shy away from these sorrows, offering a portrait of a man who has experienced much more than his fair share of tragedy. The trailer opens with Steve Martin's voice over footage of Short simply having a blast, capturing the resilience that has defined his life and career.

Netflix expands Short's film catalog

In the lead-up to the documentary's release, Netflix is expanding its collection of films featuring Short. The streamer will add 'Father of the Bride' and 'Father of the Bride Part II' to its catalog in May 2026, the same month as the documentary. In those 1990s remakes, Short plays Franck Eggelhoffer, an eccentric wedding planner, co-starring with frequent collaborator Steve Martin. These films join other Martin Short titles already on Netflix, such as the stand-up special 'Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life.' The streamer recently had a Catherine O'Hara collection to honor the late actress, suggesting more Short-centric titles may be coming soon.

A documentary that promises to reveal the man behind the mask

'Marty, Life Is Short' runs 1 hour 39 minutes and is packed with archival gold and exclusive interviews. The trailer, which has just premiered, delivers pure comedy magic while hinting at the emotional depth beneath. Kasdan's direction aims to show not just the comedian but the man — his joys, his sorrows, and his enduring impact on popular culture. For a generation of fans who grew up with Short's manic energy on SCTV, SNL, and in films like 'Three Amigos' and 'Innerspace,' this documentary offers a chance to see the full arc of a remarkable life. For newer audiences, it serves as an introduction to one of comedy's most inventive and enduring talents.

The bottom line

• Martin Short's definitive documentary 'Marty, Life Is Short' premieres on Netflix on May 12, 2026.
• Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the film features interviews with Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and others.
• The documentary covers Short's 50-year career from SCTV and SNL to Broadway and film, using never-before-seen archival footage.
• Short has faced significant personal tragedies, including the deaths of his wife Nancy Dolman and daughter Katherine.
• Netflix will add 'Father of the Bride' and 'Father of the Bride Part II' to its catalog in May 2026.
• The documentary includes personal perspectives from Short's sons Michael and Oliver.