Martin Short's Real Name: Martin Hayter Short

Quick answer: Martin Short's full name is Martin Hayter Short. He was born on March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and performs under Martin Short—the civil form of his birth name.

Real name and early life

The Library of Congress lists Short, Martin, 1950-; biographies give Martin Hayter Short, born March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario (LOC; Wikipedia pointer after Canadian Encyclopedia/major bios). He grew up in a large family, studied social work at McMaster University, and entered comedy through Toronto’s Second City before Canadian television sketch work. Hayter is the middle name; there is no invented stage surname—Martin Short is the professional form of the birth name.

Career highlights

Short became a defining SCTV performer and writer, creating characters such as Ed Grimley, then joined Saturday Night Live for the 1984–85 season. Film comedy followed with ¡Three Amigos!, Innerspace, Three Fugitives, and Father of the Bride. Stage work included the Tony-winning Little Me revival and later The Producers circuit appearances; television included Primetime Glick, Maya & Marty, and a late-career peak as Oliver Putnam on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. He has received Emmy recognition for sketch and variety work and remains a staple of awards-show hosting and comedy specials. Across SCTV, Broadway, and streaming, billing stayed Martin Short; the documented full name is Martin Hayter Short. Canadian and U.S. entertainment references keep Martin Short on the marquee and Martin Hayter Short in fuller biographical lines. He remains one of the most recognizable Second City–to–Hollywood comedy exports of his generation.

Retrospective specials and cast albums continue to bill Martin Short while archival profiles quietly restore Hayter.

Name notes for searchers

Hayter is sometimes omitted in casual credits. Prefer LOC and Canadian institutional bios over fan wikis. Wikipedia is a pointer after those primaries.

Home-video collections of SCTV and Father of the Bride keep Martin Short prominent for comedy shoppers decades after the original broadcasts.