Steve Martin and Martin Short's 2026 Comedy Tour Triumphantly Resumes After Heartbreaking Hiatus

Steve Martin and his longtime comedy partner Martin Short have postponed the opening leg of their 2026 arena trek, “The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short,” after the sudden death of Short’s 42-year-old daughter, Katherine Short. All shows through the end of February—including Friday’s kickoff at Milwaukee’s Miller High Life Theatre and Saturday’s stop at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre—have been pulled from the schedule, with venues assuring ticket-holders that passes will be honored once new dates are confirmed. At press time, the tour’s next listed performance, March 13 at Washington, D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall, remained on sale, suggesting promoters are aiming for a quick restart if Short feels ready to return to the stage. A separate pair of Minneapolis makeup dates has already been slotted for May after consultation with local promoters. The tragedy comes as Steve Martin enjoys renewed visibility from Hulu’s hit series “Only Murders in the Building,” currently filming its fifth season, and from a newly announced batch of North American festival appearances for his bluegrass outfit, the Steep Canyon Rangers. Sources close to the production say Martin’s TV shooting schedule remains unaffected, giving the 78-year-old entertainer the flexibility to support Short whenever live dates resume. Fans who purchased tickets through primary outlets such as Ticketmaster and Bandsintown are being advised to monitor their email for automatic updates, while those who bought through secondary resale platforms should contact vendors directly for refund options. Industry analysts note that most insurance policies covering arena comedy tours classify immediate family bereavement as a “force majeure” event, so producers will not face significant financial penalties for the short-term pause. Beyond the tour, Martin and Short had been set to film a Netflix special capturing material honed on the road; insiders say production will shift to the back half of 2026 but remains in active development. Meanwhile, tributes to Katherine Short—an NYU and USC alumna who built a career in mental-health counseling—have poured in across social platforms, with Steve Martin himself liking and retweeting several memorial posts even as he maintains public silence out of respect for his friend’s privacy. Key 2026 Steve Martin/Martin Short tour facts: • Postponed: All February shows (Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Detroit) • Still listed: Washington D.C. (Mar 13) and all subsequent dates • Rescheduled: Minneapolis dates now May 22–23 • Ticket status: Original tickets remain valid; refunds offered upon request For up-to-the-minute changes, visit stevemartin.com/tour and individual venue pages before traveling.