Martin Short has opened up about his memories of the late Gilda Radner, describing the comedy icon as “funny and vibrant and warm” at a recent industry event.
In a conversation with David Letterman and Paul Shaffer on Thursday, May 7, at the Netflix Is a Joke festival, the 76-year-old actor reflected on his former lover’s magnetic personality.
Short explained that when they first met in a 1972 Toronto production of GodspellRadner was “just as wonderful as you’d hope,” noting that while every woman wanted to be her best friend, every man was eager to date her.
The Only murder in the building star recalled the chaotic atmosphere of the auditions and compared them to American Idol like hundreds of young hopefuls aiming for roles.
Short and Radner were cast alongside other future legends like Eugene Levy and Victor Garber, at a time when they were just kids excited to do something creative.
According to Short, Radner made an immediate impression when he walked up to him at the very first rehearsal to introduce himself and proved to be instantly funny.
However, the production also set the stage for a complicated romantic crossroads for Short.
While dating Radner, he met her understudy, Nancy Dolman, whom he described as a great talent and an incredible singer.
Short has previously admitted that he “loved Gilda”, but their relationship was turbulently defined by constant break-ups.
The transition between the two women happened remarkably quickly; after a certain split from Radner, Short set up a tennis date with Dolman, only for Radner to call a day later, expecting to reconcile.
Ultimately, Short stayed with Dolman and the couple married in 1980 and remained together for 36 years until her death in 2010.
In a tragic parallel to Radner’s own passing at the age of 42 in 1989, Dolman also died of ovarian cancer.
Short, who shared three adopted children with Dolman, has suffered further heartbreak recently when the family announced in February 2026 that their daughter, Katherine, had also died aged 42.
Despite the years and the losses, Short’s fond memories of Radner’s lively spirit remain a testament to the close bond formed in their early days in the business.
