Did Martin Short meet Gilda Radner on SNL? Actor provides rare insight into relationship with late OG cast member

Martin Short recently discussed his relationship with the late Gilda Radner, providing a rare insight into his time with the comedian before they became household names.

Although many people believe that their relationship began on Saturday Night Live (SNL), their story supposedly goes back to the early 1970s, years before SNL even aired. Short discussed his on and off relationship with Radner in a recent appearance on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler.

Their friendship started in 1972 when they co-starred in a production of Godspell in Toronto, Canada. They were both struggling performers then, who were performing with up-and-coming stars including Eugene Levy, Paul Shaffer and Andrea Martin.

Short, now 74, remembered being captivated and attracted by Gilda Radner’s energetic spirit at that time. New York Post reports that, reminising his first time meeting her, he said:

"I remember she came up to the first rehearsal and said, ‘Hi, Marty. I’m so happy to be here."

He added:

"She was just so original. The size of her purse, the fullness of her hair, and you know, I fell for her madly."

Short said that their relationship was not without its fair share of struggles. The couple would break up and get back together several times over the years.

Being only 22 at the time, Martin Short remembered being aggravated when Radner expressed unhappiness despite her extraordinary talent and success. He said:

“So to me, one of the issues that Gilda and I had, what we’d have fights about, was I think, ‘What do you have to be not happy about? You’re talented, you have family money, everyone loves you, everyone wants to be your friend, everyone wants to date you, no one is funnier, you get the biggest laughs of anyone on stage."

More about Gilda Radner’s personal life and her success as a Saturday Nights Live member

Gilda Radner, an original star of Saturday Night Live (SNL), was known for her high-energy characters such as Roseanne Roseannadanna and Lisa Loopner. While her stint on SNL became legendary, her story goes far beyond that.

Radner, who was American, began her comedy career in Toronto, sharing the stage with future breakout stars such as Martin Short and Eugene Levy in a 1972 production of Godspell.

According to Remind magazine, the character most famously associated with her, Emily Litella, was based on Mrs. Gilles, who raised her. Radner and the show’s writers would call Mrs. Gilles to help nail down the character’s voice.

Reports have stated that Gilda Radner dated comedians including Martin Short, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd before marrying Gene Wilder in 1984. The pair appeared together in three films, none of which was a huge hit, including Haunted Honeymoon.

According to Remind, Gilda Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986. She went into remission but eventually had a relapse. Radner died on May 20, 1989, at the age of 42. That night, SNL host Steve Martin paid tribute to her by airing an old skit of the two dancing together.