Los Angeles [US], March 16 (ANI): Comedian and host Conan O'Brien ended the Academy Awards 2026 ceremony with a heartfelt message for his longtime friend Martin Short, whose daughter died last month, according to E! News.

As he wrapped up the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 15, O'Brien gave a brief but emotional shoutout to the veteran comedian.

'It's been an honor and a joy,' O'Brien said while signing off from the stage. 'We love you, Marty Short, good night,' according to E! News.

The message came weeks after Short's daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, died by suicide on February 23 at the age of 42, according to E! News.

Confirming the tragic news at the time, a representative for Short said in a statement that the family was grieving deeply. 'It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world,' the statement read.

Following his daughter's death, Short has largely stayed out of the public eye. He also postponed a comedy show he was scheduled to perform with longtime collaborator Steve Martin at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with organisers confirming that tickets would be honoured for a rescheduled date, according to E! News.

The loss comes more than 15 years after Short's wife, Nancy Dolman, died in 2010 following a battle with ovarian cancer.

Speaking about coping with grief in an earlier 2014 interview with Maclean's magazine, Short said that loss is a universal experience. 'No one doesn't have loss. No one doesn't have pain,' he said. 'If your natural orientation is to be happy, you have to then start developing tools to help you get back there,' according to E! News. (ANI)