Martin Short hasn't been seen much since his daughter Katherine's tragic death by suicide ... but he stepped out Friday evening for dinner with a talented Hollywood director.
The longtime comic actor made an appearance in Santa Monica ... wearing a neat black blazer over a button-down shirt.
Photogs got him jumping into a car driven by "Lost" co-creator J.J. Abrams, who is a longtime friend of Short's.
A source with knowledge tells TMZ ... the comedy icons will do their scheduled April 11 show at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in Savannah, Georgia.
This is a major update ... because the tour was paused after Short's daughter died on February 23. Multiple shows scheduled in March were rescheduled for September.
As we previously reported ... Katherine died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday at her Los Angeles home. Sources tell us a “note” was found nearby ... along with a gun.
Katherine Short thought she'd feel safer as a social worker by putting distance between herself and her famous father ... filing a petition to change her name more than a decade ago.
The eldest daughter of Martin Short and Nancy Dolman filed to change her name back in 2012 from "Katherine Elizabeth Short" to "Katherine Elizabeth Hartley" ... a judge granted the change in early 2013.
She explains her reasoning in the document ... writing, "My father is a public figure. I am a psychiatric social worker. I am concerned about potential harassment from future patients resulting from my association with my father.”
Katherine Short -- the late daughter of Hollywood legend Martin Short -- was a "beautiful empathetic soul" who "took on the baggage of the world" as a mental health worker ... a close friend of hers tells TMZ.
We broke the story ... Katherine died by suicide Monday inside her Hollywood Hills home. Law enforcement sources told us she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Katherine was a social worker and worked for a mental health nonprofit ... and her close friend told us her work weighed her down. We're told Katherine was laser-focused on hearing other people's problems that were being thrown at her, and she was always trying to help them with their mental struggles, which she could relate to.
Katherine Short had a dog to assist with "mental illness" over the years ... this according to her now-deleted professional website.
The daughter of Martin Short -- who passed away Monday -- had a biography tab dedicated to her pup, according to Page Six ... who reviewed the website before it was taken down.
Katherine says the dog -- named Joni after singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell -- was her "incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years." It's unclear when the bio was written.
An autopsy was performed on Katherine Short -- the daughter of Hollywood legend Martin Short -- Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office ... and now her body is ready to be released.
As we first reported, Katherine died by suicide Monday inside her Hollywood Hills home -- from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the L.A. County Medical Examiner's website.
TMZ obtained dispatch audio, revealing that the person who called 911 from Katherine's house was unable to gain access to her bedroom. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel are heard responding to the scene for a shooting Monday evening ... the incident is later clarified as "self-inflicted."
Martin Short and his family issued a statement, saying ... "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."
Katherine was 42.
RIP
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Martin Short's comedy show with Steve Martin -- "The Best of Steve Martin and Martin Short" -- has been postponed following the sudden death of his daughter, Katherine.
Short was set to take the stage with his "Only Murders in the Building" co-star this weekend in Milwaukee and Minneapolis for their comedy tour ... however, according to the websites for the venues, the shows were postponed due to "unforeseen circumstances."
We spoke to staff members for the theaters who told us it's unclear whether the shows will take place ... but it seems after the day went on, a decision was made behind the scenes to pull the scheduled performances from happening.
Dispatch audio recorded the moment authorities raced to a reported shooting at the home of Martin Short's daughter, Katherine ... revealing the person who called in the incident was unable to enter the bedroom.
In the audio obtained by TMZ ... LAFD firefighters are heard responding to a call on Katherine's street Monday evening, initially for a shooting. Later, one firefighter asks if they are clear to enter, then confirms the incident was "self-inflicted" -- stating the caller is there with the patient but unable to enter the bedroom.
TMZ was first to report the devastating loss of Katherine Short, who took her own life Monday at her Los Angeles home. Law enforcement sources told us LAPD and the fire department responded to her place in the Hollywood Hills shortly after 6:40 PM PT, where she was found deceased.
The 42-year-old died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.
LAPD and the fire department responded to her Hollywood Hills home Monday, shortly after 6:40 PM PT, where she was found deceased.
A representative tells TMZ ... "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."
