The nominations showcase Martin Short's remarkable range—from his scene-stealing work on 'Only Murders in the Building' to whatever other projects earned him recognition. It's a testament to an artist who refuses to be typecast and continues pushing boundaries at every stage of his career.
Insiders note that Short's nominations come at a fascinating moment for Hulu, which has invested heavily in 'Only Murders' as its comedy flagship. The show's ensemble chemistry—with Selena Gomez and Steve Martin—has become one of streaming's most reliable draws, and Short's character work is widely credited as essential to that formula.
Martin Short received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Only Murders in the Building' on Hulu. He also earned a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series for the same show, placing him at the center of multiple major Emmy categories during the 2026 nominations cycle.
Martin Short's Emmy positioning proves that genuine comedic talent only improves with age—and that networks are finally recognizing veteran performers who bring actual craft to their work rather than just name recognition.
Martin Short is having what even he would probably describe as a deeply weird, deeply wonderful Emmy season. The Canadian comedy legend finds himself scattered across this year's nominations in a way that's become increasingly rare in an industry that often funnels performers into single lanes—Short's name appears via not one, not two, but three distinctly different projects, each representing a different facet of what has become one of entertainment's most unexpectedly durable careers.
According to Variety's reporting, Short earned recognition as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Hulu's 'Only Murders in the Building,' where he stars alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. The show itself also secured a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, placing Short at the epicenter of multiple major categories during this year's Emmy race. For an actor who first broke through with SCTV nearly four decades ago, these nominations represent something remarkable: continued creative relevance in an industry that has historically shown limited patience for performers past their perceived prime.
What's particularly striking about Short's positioning this awards season is the diversity of his contributions. While many veteran actors find themselves recycled through legacy franchise work or cameoed into younger performers' projects, Short has maintained a career built on genuine character work—roles that require specific comedic instincts rather than simply casting recognizable faces. His Oliver Putnam character on 'Only Murders' exemplifies this approach: theatrical, somewhat absurd, yet grounded in real emotional stakes that allow for both broad comedy and unexpected moments of vulnerability.
The timing of these nominations also carries significance within the broader streaming landscape. Hulu has invested heavily in 'Only Murders' as a flagship comedy property, and Short's awards positioning helps validate that strategy. The show's ensemble format—built around genuine chemistry between its three leads rather than relying on a single star vehicle—has created something increasingly rare: a comedy series with actual comedic ambition that also performs reliably well commercially.
For Short himself, the multiple nominations seem to represent vindication of an approach that's sometimes been misunderstood throughout his career. Known for his ability to disappear into characters—whether as Jiminy Glick, Frank Maddox, or countless others—Short has never fit neatly into Hollywood's preferred star system. These 2026 Emmy nominations suggest that approach is finally being recognized on its own terms, rather than dismissed as too eccentric or niche for mainstream success.
