Martin Hayter Short is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, singer, and writer born on March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He rose to fame as a cast member on SCTV and Saturday Night Live.
Short's career spans decades of comedy across film, television, and stage, including memorable roles in Three Amigos (1986), Father of the Bride (1991), and the Primetime Emmy-winning variety special Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. He stars as Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building (2021-present), a role that has earned him Emmy nominations and renewed critical acclaim.
Franck Eggelhoffer in Father of the Bride (1991-1995)
Ed Grimley on SCTV/SNL
Jack Frost in The Santa Clause 3 (2006)
Jiminy Glick
Awards & Recognition
🏆 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Little Me)
🏆 Primetime Emmy Nominations for Only Murders in the Building
🏆 Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame
Career Overview & Television Legacy
Martin Short's television career is defined by a standout performance that has left a lasting mark on the medium. Most notably, Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building (2021-present).
Beyond the roles featured on TVCeleb, Martin Short has built an impressive body of work across film and television. Notable credits include Franck Eggelhoffer in Father of the Bride (1991-1995), Ed Grimley on SCTV/SNL, Jack Frost in The Santa Clause 3 (2006), Jiminy Glick. This diverse range of projects demonstrates Martin Short's versatility as a performer and commitment to challenging material across multiple genres and formats.
Martin Short's work has been recognized with significant industry honors, including Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Little Me); Primetime Emmy Nominations for Only Murders in the Building; Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame. These accolades reflect the critical esteem in which Martin Short is held and the consistent quality of performance across a range of demanding roles.
Acting Style & Approach
Martin Short's approach to acting is characterized by a commitment to deeply inhabiting each character. In the role of Oliver Putnam, Martin Short demonstrates remarkable range and an ability to find emotional truth in every scene. Working across comedy, mystery, crime genres, Martin Short brings both technical precision and raw emotional honesty to each performance.
Audiences and critics have noted Martin Short's talent for comedy legend, tony winner, canadian performances. This versatility has made Martin Short a sought-after talent for projects that demand both emotional depth and on-screen charisma. Whether carrying a scene through quiet intensity or commanding attention in high-stakes dramatic moments, Martin Short consistently delivers performances that resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.
Fan Community & Cultural Impact
Martin Short has cultivated a passionate and dedicated fan following through a standout performance in Only Murders in the Building. The comedy, mystery, crime community has embraced Martin Short's work, generating fan art, character analyses, and active discussion across social media platforms. The character of Oliver Putnam in particular has inspired extensive fan engagement, with viewers drawn to the complexity and emotional depth that Martin Short brings to the role.
Fans can follow Martin Short's career and updates through their presence on Instagram, IMDb, with additional biographical information available on Wikipedia. Martin Short's engagement with the fan community has further strengthened the bond between performer and audience, creating a loyal following that extends well beyond any single role or series.
As part of the cast of Only Murders in the Building, Martin Short has contributed to some of the most culturally significant television of the modern era. These series have each made their mark on the television landscape, and Martin Short's performances have been integral to their success and lasting cultural relevance. The actor's ability to create characters that resonate deeply with audiences ensures that their contribution to television history will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
Explore More on TVCeleb
TVCeleb.com is the internet's most comprehensive resource for television character fandom, covering 38 acclaimed TV series with 205 detailed character profiles and 153 actor biographies. Our coverage spans 24 genres across 16 networks and streaming platforms, with content organized to help fans discover, explore, and engage with television from every angle.
Browse our collection by genre to find shows in your preferred category, by network to see what's available on your streaming platform, by decade to explore different eras of television history, or by curated lists that group characters by archetype and achievement. Each show page features expanded synopses, production details, and video content, while character pages include detailed arc analysis, key episodes, quotes, trivia, and fan ecosystem mapping.
Every character on TVCeleb is scored using our proprietary Fan Heat Index, which measures engagement, social activity, meme velocity, fan art density, and fandom longevity on a scale of 0 to 100. This data-driven approach provides objective insight into which characters have inspired the most passionate and active fan communities. Use the search page to find any character, show, or actor instantly, or start browsing from our homepage to discover what's trending in television fandom today.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Martin Short is a legendary comedian known for SCTV, SNL, Father of the Bride, and Only Murders in the Building.
Yes, Short won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Little Me in 1999.
Martin Short is best known for portraying Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building. Beyond these roles, Martin Short has also appeared in Franck Eggelhoffer in Father of the Bride (1991-1995), Ed Grimley on SCTV/SNL, Jack Frost in The Santa Clause 3 (2006). Their work has earned 3 major awards and recognitions.
Yes, Martin Short has received significant recognition for their acting work, including Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Little Me); Primetime Emmy Nominations for Only Murders in the Building; Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame. These honors reflect the critical acclaim and industry respect that Martin Short has earned through consistently powerful and nuanced performances across multiple projects.
Martin Short plays Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building, which airs on Hulu and streams on Hulu. Only Murders in the Building is a Comedy/Mystery/Crime series that ran from 2021–present. Martin Short's portrayal of Oliver Putnam has been widely praised by fans and critics, contributing to the show's cultural impact and devoted fanbase.
