At 75 years young, Canadian-American comedy icon Martin Short continues to demonstrate an unparalleled zest for entertainment, embarking on new ventures while maintaining his acclaimed presence in established hits. The veteran performer is set to debut as the host of ABC’s revived game show, Match Game, and will also return for the highly anticipated fifth season of Hulu’s critically acclaimed comedy series, Only Murders in the Building.
Short’s latest role as the host of Match Game marks a fresh chapter in his illustrious career. The new season is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Short, known for his dynamic and improvisational style, expressed a mix of nervousness and exhilaration about taking on the game show, a format he admired since childhood. He told USA Today, “What draws me at this stage of my life to it is the idea that I’ve never done it before. The idea of doing something that you’ve never done and could fail at is exhilarating.” The show will feature four contestants competing for a $25,000 grand prize by attempting to match the answers of six celebrity panelists in a fill-in-the-blank game. The premiere episode boasts a star-studded panel including Short’s Only Murders in the Building co-stars Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne, alongside comedians Kevin Nealon, Anthony Anderson, and Ziwe, and his Father of the Bride castmate BD Wong. Short takes the reins from previous hosts like Gene Rayburn and Alec Baldwin, aiming to infuse the show with a “party at someone’s house” atmosphere over its eight hour-long episodes.
Beyond his new hosting gig, Short continues to garner accolades for his role as Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building. His performance has earned him numerous nominations, including a recent Primetime Emmy Award nod for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award win. The series, which also stars his long-time collaborator Steve Martin and Selena Gomez, has been praised for its “killer chemistry” and consistent quality. Fans can look forward to the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, which is set to premiere on September 9. While Steve Martin and Meryl Streep will not appear on Match Game, they are confirmed to return for the Hulu comedy, joined by new cast members such as Beanie Feldstein, Jermaine Fowler, Keegan-Michael Key, Téa Leoni, Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, and Renée Zellweger.
Short’s career spans over five decades, marked by an impressive versatility across stage, screen, and television. Born on March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, he began his acting journey after graduating from McMaster University. His early career included a role in the 1972 Toronto production of Godspell, where he met his future wife, Nancy Dolman. Short rose to prominence through his work on the sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV) in the early 1980s, where he created beloved characters like the manic Ed Grimley and the obtuse interviewer Jiminy Glick. His move to Saturday Night Live for the 1984-85 season further cemented his status, helping to revitalize the show with his memorable characters and impressions.
His filmography includes iconic comedies such as Three Amigos (1986), Innerspace (1987), and the much-loved Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel (1995). Short has also lent his distinctive voice to numerous animated features, including Frankenweenie (2012), Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012), The Wind Rises (2013), and most recently, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) as Kingfish. On Broadway, he earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Little Me (1999), following a nomination for The Goodbye Girl (1993).
A significant part of Short’s recent career has been his highly successful touring and on-screen partnership with Steve Martin, which includes their Emmy-nominated Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life. Off-screen, Short’s personal life has been marked by both joy and profound loss. He married Canadian actress Nancy Dolman in 1980, and together they adopted three children: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. Nancy Dolman tragically passed away from ovarian cancer on August 21, 2010, at the age of 58, as detailed on her Wikipedia page. Short has openly spoken about his family and his philanthropic efforts, including his support for the Women’s Research Cancer Fund.
Martin Short’s contributions to entertainment have been widely recognized. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, has two stars on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and has received numerous awards, including multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Screen Awards. His enduring talent and ability to reinvent himself continue to make him a cherished figure in comedy and beyond.
