Steve Martin has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the cancellation of two upcoming comedy performances with Martin Short. The shows, scheduled for Friday in Virginia Beach and Richmond, Virginia, were part of their ongoing tour but will not proceed due to Martin’s illness, citing health and safety concerns.
Martin shared the cancellation news via Instagram, expressing regret for the disruption. He wrote,
“Dear Virginia Beach and Richmond. Sadly, I have come down with COVID,”
and added,
“I can’t possibly do the shows that you deserve. So Marty and I must cancel tonight & tomorrow. But we will return under better circumstances.”
This unexpected announcement has affected fans eagerly awaiting their appearances.
Official Confirmation and Refund Information for Ticket Holders
The cancellations were further confirmed on Steve Martin’s official website, which provided details about the affected venues. The shows at The Dome in Virginia Beach on September 19 and at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront in Richmond on September 20 have been canceled out of caution due to Martin’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
The site stated,
“Unfortunately, Steve Martin has come down with COVID, and out of an abundance of caution, the shows will be canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Refunds will be available to ticket buyers.”
Martin also posted a follow-up image showing his test results, confirming he did not have the flu but tested positive for COVID-19. Humorous despite the situation, he captioned, “Hey! No flu!” reflecting his characteristic wit.
Support from Fellow Actors and Ongoing Tour Details
Following the announcement, notable allies and fans in the entertainment industry expressed their concern and encouragement. Among them, Rita Wilson, who has worked with Martin in films such as Mixed Nuts and It’s Complicated, offered a simple message: “Feel better!” Similar sentiments were shared by actors Josh Gad and Brad Garrett.
Martin and Short are currently touring with their The Dukes Of Funnytown comedy show and are scheduled to perform next at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, on October 4. Their itinerary includes 30 additional performances across the United States through April 2026, underscoring the scale and demand for their collaboration.
Previous COVID-19 Impact on the Tour and Clarifications
This is not the first time the dynamic comedy duo has faced interruptions due to COVID-19. Earlier this year, they canceled shows in Durham, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee, after Martin Short contracted the virus. At that time, Martin hinted via social media that Short may have caught COVID from Maya Rudolph during the SNL 50th Anniversary Special, writing,
“Maya had COVID. Marty has COVID. I wonder why?”
and adding,
“The SNL 50th COVID curse is real.”
Martin later edited his statement to clarify Rudolph’s status, emphasizing,
“Maya came down with COVID (she did NOT come to the show with it!). Marty came down with it.”
The missed performances in Knoxville and Durham have been rescheduled for October 17 and 18, respectively.
Collaboration History and Recent Projects
Steve Martin and Martin Short’s partnership spans decades, including popular films such as Three Amigos (1986), Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel in 1995, as well as voice work in The Prince of Egypt (1998) and the comedy Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (2004). Recently, they have reunited on television, starring together in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, which is currently in its fifth season.
Both actors have earned critical recognition for their performances on the show. Martin Short has received four consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, while Steve Martin received nominations for seasons one and three, along with a writing nomination for the episode titled True Crime.
Martin Short COVID Cancellations Reflect Pandemic’s Continued Effect on Live Events
The latest Martin Short COVID cancellations illustrate the ongoing challenges that live entertainment faces amid the pandemic, especially for touring performers like Martin and Short. While they prioritize health and safety by postponing shows when illness occurs, their commitment to rescheduling dates demonstrates efforts to deliver on promises to audiences nationwide.
As the duo recovers and plans future appearances, fans and ticket buyers can expect their performances to resume once conditions improve, maintaining the enthusiasm built over years of their comedic partnership.
