Hollywood actor Martin Short has been “claimed as one of our own” after revealing on a podcast with Today FM’s David Moore that he not only has an Irish passport, but has connections to County Armagh.
The star of comedy-drama series Only Murders in the Building appeared on the podcast with co-stars Steve Martin – who is also co-creator of the show – and Selena Gomez to discuss the new season.
Upon linking up the call, the three A-List celebrities said they were “happy to be talking to Ireland”, which prompted Martin to ask the Irish podcast host, “Do you know Crossmaglen, County Armagh?”
David replied: “I know Crossmaglen very well, Mr Short, yes I do. Is it true there is still a bar there called Short’s?”
Delighted at the opportunity to discuss his Irish roots, Martin replied: “Yes absolutely, since 1885. It’s true.”
And, it’s not the first time Martin has opened up about his connection to the bar, explaining on the Strawberry Alarm Clock on FM104 back in 2022 that the pub was actually run by his then 97-year-old aunt, Rosaleen Short.
Sadly, Rosaleen passed away the following year in April 2023. She had a total of 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Continuing their conversation, Steve interjected to make a light-hearted joke at the date of Short’s Bar’s establishment, saying to Martin: “So your whole life?”
In good humour, Martin retorted: “Yes, I think I was 11!”
According to Belfast Live, Martin even brought Steve to the pub on a 2020 visit where he “met the family”.
Host, David then checked a fact he had sourced online that Martin was actually an Irish citizen in the sense that he holds an Irish passport.
The actor confirmed the truth in the rumour saying: “That is indeed correct, Sir”, with David delightedly suggesting, “We can claim you as one of our own!”
Season Five of Only Murders in the Building landed on DisneyPlus.ie on September 9.
The show focuses on a trio of strangers (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez) with a shared interest in true crime podcasts, who become friends while investigating a succession of suspicious murders in the Arconia, their upscale apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and producing their own podcast about the cases, titled Only Murders in the Building.
