It's been close to a decade since the legendary comedian Martin Short lost his soulmate, actress Nancy Dolman, to ovarian cancer, but the pain of her absence still lingers deeply. In a heartfelt interview with AARP The Magazine, the 68-year-old funnyman opened up about the profound impact her passing has had on his life. Despite the passage of time, Martin candidly admits that life without Nancy by his side has been an ongoing challenge.

“Listen, our marriage was a triumph in every sense of the word. So, yeah, it’s tough. She passed away in 2010, but I still find myself talking to her all the time. It’s like, ‘Hey, Nan,’ you know? I constantly wonder how she’d react to certain decisions, especially when it comes to our kids,” Martin shared, referring to his adult children, Katherine Short, 35, Oliver Short, 32, and Henry Short, 29.

A Marriage That Transcended Time

“Here’s the thing: when someone you love passes away, they don’t just disappear. They zoom right into the hearts of those who loved them,” Martin explained further. “The idea that life just ends, and we shouldn’t speak of them—that’s wrong. To me, she’s still here, still part of my life.” The star of Father of the Bride added that the tragedy of losing Nancy has given him a deeper appreciation for life. “Real tragedy changes you. It makes you a little more daring. It’s the yin to the yang: the positive side of life’s darker moments,” he reflected.

Living with Purpose

As Martin grows older, his focus has shifted toward finding happiness and making the most of every day. “My goals now are pretty straightforward. I just want to be happy and enjoy life as much as I can,” he confessed. “For years, I’ve kept what I call a bucket list, but it’s more about different aspects of well-being: health, family, friends, money, career, creativity, self-discipline, and lifestyle. Every once in a while, I give myself a report card to see how I’m doing. Am I taking care of my health? Have I reached out to friends I haven’t spoken to in a while? Life is about practical experiences each day, with a focus on being as happy as possible,” Martin told the magazine.

Forever Connected

Martin also revisited the topic of his wife's passing in his 2014 memoir, I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend. “Even though Nancy’s gone, I’m still very much married to her. We were so deeply connected during our 36 years together that I can still imagine the conversations we’d be having today about things that happened after she passed