Is Martin Short Gay? The Actor Was Married to a Woman for 3 Decades

After leaving social media users wondering whether or not he's gay, Martin Short added fuel to the fire following his alleged on-screen chemistry with his male co-star. However, the actor was in a loving marriage with a woman for years and welcomed children before she died.

Martin Short is a beloved actor and comedian who rose to stardom for his various roles in multiple films and series. The "Maya and Marty" star was also famously married to his wife of thirty years, Nancy Dolman.

However, despite their long-standing relationship, Martin Short has faced speculations about whether or not he's gay for years. And according to social media users, the actor and his male co-star convinced viewers they should be in a relationship.

Social Media Users Often Question If Martin Short Is Gay

Over the years, people have taken to social media to question if Short is gay, with one Twitter user writing, "ok google martin short gay question mark."

Another social media user shared, "So is Martin short gay I can't remember," and a third typed, "martin short isn't gay?" However, another social media user defended the actor, saying:

"Honestly, enough people already think he is gay that he would have nothing to gain by lying about it for this long if he actually were."

Twitter Users Shipped Martin Short and Steve Martin

While speculation surrounding Short's sexuality continued to swirl, he joined Steve Martin and Selena Gomez in "Only Murders in the Building," and viewers were convinced that Martin and Short would make a great pairing.

"steve martin and martin short are gay for each other in this show, [sic]" one Twitter user shared, and another typed, "Steve Martin & Martin Short are like my fun gay uncles." A third viewer commented, "Why did I think Steve Martin and Martin Short were a couple in Only Murders in the Building?"

Despite the intrigue surrounding his sexuality, Short was married.

A morning show host also picked up on Short and Martin's chemistry and referred to their relationship as a "love story" and a "bromance" during an interview. However, Short set the record straight about his and Martin's relationship and said:

"Steve and I are very loose with each other. [...] Mainly it's because we're very close friends. That's how this all started. I mean, we'll go on a vacation together, take our families to Jamaica, on our time off from doing the show."

Martin Short and His Late Wife Welcomed Three Children

Despite the intrigue surrounding his sexuality, Short was married to his late wife, Nancy Dolman, since 1980, after they met on the 1972 Toronto, Canada production of "Godspell." Sadly, Dolman passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010, and her husband shared:

"Our marriage was a triumph. So it's tough. She died in 2010, but I still communicate with her all the time. It's 'Hey Nan,' you know? How would she react to this decision or that, especially regarding our three kids."

Before her death, Martin Short and his wife adopted three children: Katherine Elizabeth, Henry Hayter, and Oliver Patrick. Katherine works in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and is also involved in charity work. Unlike his father, Oliver pursued a career behind the camera, and Henry served as a veterinary assistant at the Malibu Coast Animal Hospital.