Martin Short and his wife Nancy Dolman The 2004 American Cinematheque

Nancy Dolman - A Look At A Life Lived

Martin Short and his wife Nancy Dolman The 2004 American Cinematheque

By  Anabel Runolfsdottir

Nancy Dolman, a person remembered by many, especially those who followed her work in comedy and acting, as well as her connection to a well-known entertainer, passed away some time ago. Her story, it appears, is one that includes a loving partnership and a career that brought smiles to people's faces. People still recall her contributions and the impact she had on those around her, particularly her family.

Her time spent here, it seems, was filled with moments both on and off the stage. She was, you know, a comedic performer from Canada, someone who really made people laugh. Her life, though cut short, left behind a collection of memories for her family and for those who enjoyed her acting work. It's almost, in a way, a quiet legacy that continues to be felt by those who knew her or saw her performances.

Many folks, you see, might connect her name with that of Martin Short, a very well-known comedian. Their story together, how they met and built a life, is actually quite a touching one, as a matter of fact. It speaks to a deep connection that lasted for many years, showing how two people can really come together and share a significant part of their lives.

Table of Contents

A Glimpse into Nancy Dolman's Story

Nancy Dolman, a Canadian performer known for her comedic skills, lived a life that touched many people. She was, you know, someone who brought a particular kind of humor to her work. Her path in life, it seems, included a significant relationship with Martin Short, a fellow Canadian who is also very well-known for his comedic talent. Their lives became intertwined in a way that many people found quite heartwarming, and her story, in some respects, is often told alongside his.

She was, you could say, a person who found her calling in acting and making people laugh. Her time on various television shows allowed many to see her abilities. The impact she had, it appears, was not just on screen but also in her personal life, where she built a family and shared many years with her husband. It’s a story of connection, of shared passion, and of a life lived with a certain kind of spirit, you know.

Her passing, when it happened, brought a wave of sadness to those who knew her and to her family. It was a moment that, you know, really brought attention to the private battles she had faced. The way her husband spoke about her, even years later, shows just how much she meant to him and to their children. It’s a pretty clear indication of the lasting impression she made on her closest loved ones, as a matter of fact.

Personal Information and Early Years for Nancy Dolman

Nancy Dolman came into the world on September 26, 1951. Her birth took place in Toronto, which is in Ontario, Canada. So, she was, you know, a Canadian by birth, growing up in that part of the world. She had a brother, too, named Bob, who, it turns out, is involved in making films. This suggests, perhaps, that creativity ran in their family, a common thread among them, it seems.

She spent her early years and grew up right there in Toronto, Ontario, the very place she was born. This city, in a way, shaped her formative experiences before she ventured into her acting pursuits. It’s where her roots were, you could say, a place that she knew well from her earliest days. This background, you know, often plays a part in who a person becomes later in life, shaping their outlook and their path.

When she passed away, she was fifty-eight years old. Her passing occurred on August 21, 2010. She died at the home she shared with her husband, which was located in Pacific Palisades. This detail, it seems, provides a quiet sense of where her final moments took place, in a familiar and comforting setting, more or less. It’s a bit of a somber detail, but it helps complete the picture of her life's timeline.

DetailInformation
Full NameNancy Dolman
Date of BirthSeptember 26, 1951
Place of BirthToronto, Ontario, Canada
Date of PassingAugust 21, 2010
Age at Passing58 years old
Place of PassingPacific Palisades, at home
NationalityCanadian
OccupationActress, Comedienne
SpouseMartin Short (married 1980)
SiblingBob Dolman (filmmaker)

What Did Nancy Dolman Do in Her Acting Career?

Nancy Dolman, it seems, dedicated a part of her life to performing, particularly as a comedic actor. She was known for her work on television shows, bringing characters to life for audiences. One of her more recognized parts was a role that kept coming back, playing Annie Selig Tate on a sitcom called "Soap," which aired on the ABC network. This particular part, you know, allowed her to be seen by many viewers over a period of time.

Beyond "Soap," she also had other acting appearances. She was involved in a show from 1976 called "Royal Suite," which, you know, was another one of her acting credits. Then there was "Landon Landon & Landon" from 1980, which is also sometimes referred to as "It's a Living" from the same year. These roles, it seems, show her range and how she contributed to different television productions during that time. She was, you could say, pretty active in the acting scene.

Her background as a Canadian comedienne, as mentioned, really highlights her particular skill set. She had a knack for humor, it appears, something that likely made her performances quite memorable for those who watched her. So, in short, she was a performer who really put her comedic talents to good use on the screen, leaving behind a body of work for people to remember her by, as a matter of fact.

How Did Nancy Dolman and Martin Short Meet?

The story of how Nancy Dolman and Martin Short first crossed paths is, you know, a bit of a classic show business tale. They met back in 1972, which was quite some time ago, actually. The setting for their initial meeting was Toronto, a city they both had connections to, obviously. They were both working on a musical production at the time, a show called "Godspell." This particular musical, it seems, brought them together in a very direct way.

During the production of "Godspell," Nancy had a role as an understudy, meaning she was ready to step in if someone couldn't perform their part. Martin, on the other hand, was one of the actors in the show. So, they were, you know, both involved in the same creative project, sharing that experience. This kind of shared environment, it’s fair to say, often leads to connections between people, and in their case, it led to something very special, it seems.

Their meeting during "Godspell" marked the beginning of their relationship. Martin, it turns out, had been dating someone else, Gilda Radner, also a well-known performer, in the early 1970s while they were both living in Canada. But, you know, after that relationship came to an end, he found himself falling for Nancy. It’s a pretty clear example of how life’s path can change and lead you to unexpected connections, as a matter of fact.

Their Life Together with Nancy Dolman

After meeting during the "Godspell" production, Nancy Dolman and Martin Short’s relationship grew. They decided to get married in 1980. This meant they spent three decades, a full thirty years, as husband and wife. That’s a pretty long time to share a life with someone, you know, showing a deep commitment to each other, it seems. Their marriage, it appears, was a very significant part of both their lives.

During their time together, they also became parents. The couple adopted children, which means they grew their family in that way. While the specific details about their children, like names or how many, are not widely shared in the information available, the fact that they adopted shows a desire to build a family unit. This addition to their lives, you could say, brought another layer of shared experience and love to their partnership.

Their home, it seems, was in Pacific Palisades, a place where they built their life together. This was the setting for many of their shared moments, from daily routines to significant family events. The fact that Nancy passed away in their shared home, you know, highlights the centrality of that place to their life as a couple and as a family. It’s a detail that, in a way, brings their shared existence into focus, more or less.

What Happened to Nancy Dolman?

Nancy Dolman passed away on August 21, 2010. Her passing happened at the home she shared with Martin Short in Pacific Palisades. At the time of her death, she was fifty-eight years old. This event, you know, brought a great deal of sadness to her family and to those who knew her, as is often the case when someone passes away, it seems.

The cause of her passing was ovarian cancer. She had been dealing with this illness for three years before she died. This means she had been battling the disease for a significant period, facing a difficult challenge during that time. The news of her death, when it came out, did not immediately include a cause, but it later became known that cancer was the reason. It’s a pretty clear indication of the private struggle she endured, as a matter of fact.

Regarding the circumstances of her passing, reports from the Los Angeles County coroner chief, Craig Harvey, indicated that she was "under the care of a private physician for a natural disease." He also stated that "there will be no coroner involvement." This suggests that her passing was not unexpected given her health situation, and it was handled privately, with medical professionals already involved. So, it was, you know, a situation that was understood within the context of her illness.

Martin Short's Thoughts on Losing Nancy Dolman

Martin Short has spoken openly about the loss of his wife, Nancy Dolman. It’s been quite some time since she passed away, nearly ten years at one point, and even after all that time, he has shared that her death hasn't become any easier to deal with. This suggests, you know, the profound and lasting impact her absence has had on him. It’s a testament to the deep bond they shared, it seems, that the pain of her loss remains so present.

He has also talked about the message he gave to their children at the time of her passing. This kind of sharing, you know, gives a glimpse into the very personal and poignant way he navigated that difficult period with his family. It shows his role as a parent during a time of immense grief, trying to offer comfort and explanation to his children. It’s a pretty touching detail, actually, about how he handled such a sensitive situation.

Martin Short has continued to discuss how he copes with the tragedy of losing Nancy Dolman. His willingness to speak about it, even years later, highlights the ongoing nature of grief and remembrance. It indicates that, for him, her memory is very much alive and continues to influence his life. He has, in a way, kept her spirit close, even as he continues with his own life and career, which is, you know, something many people can relate to when they lose someone dear.

Martin Short and his wife Nancy Dolman The 2004 American Cinematheque
Martin Short and his wife Nancy Dolman The 2004 American Cinematheque

Details

216 Nancy Dolman Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images
216 Nancy Dolman Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images

Details

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, actor Martin Short and his
FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, actor Martin Short and his

Details

Detail Author:

  • Name : Anabel Runolfsdottir
  • Username : lyda.spencer
  • Email : antwan.rice@hotmail.com
  • Birthdate : 2001-09-07
  • Address : 94538 Hillary Crest Suite 910 Amoschester, MA 71553-2905
  • Phone : 1-704-320-0044
  • Company : Abshire Inc
  • Job : Warehouse
  • Bio : Id sit tenetur nesciunt dolore sed fuga. Delectus dolore enim et voluptatem sequi sed enim. Ducimus alias qui aut nostrum dolor dicta. Dolor rerum voluptatum distinctio eveniet.

Socials

linkedin:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/amparo_turcotte
  • username : amparo_turcotte
  • bio : Nisi a esse ratione id omnis ut nemo. Pariatur quisquam qui molestias fugit vel et quidem dolorem.
  • followers : 440
  • following : 878