Martin Short paid an emotional tribute to his late daughter, Katharine, during Selena Gomez's Rare Impact Fund Gala on Wednesday.
The Only Murders in the Building star stepped on stage to announce the Katharine Short Legacy Award, which has been created in her honour following her tragic death by suicide at the age of 42 in February.
Katharine had been a social worker and, according to Selena, the new award will carry her name forward by "honouring people who have made that same kind of commitment to their communities."
In his speech, Martin said, "It has been a very difficult year for me, needless to say," according to social media footage from the event.
"But we have also understood in the last eight months - I think my whole family has understood - that mental health and cancer, which took my wife, for example, are both diseases. They are diseases, and sometimes diseases are terminal."
© Getty Images for Rare BeautyMartin added: "Mental health is simply an illness, not to be hidden in the shadows or perceived as a family embarrassment."
Martin said that his daughter's death "will be devastating to my soul as long as I'll live" and the "pain about losing my daughter will always be present in my heart. And I think that's simply because what we deeply love we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."
Katharine Short's incredible legacy
Throughout the speech, Martin praised the incredible work his daughter did within the community.
"Katherine devoted herself to her profession as a clinical social worker, promoting open, compassionate conversations about mental health, and her commitment extended beyond her profession and well into the community."
© Getty ImagesHe added: "So what an honour it is for me to be [here] helping present this award, which honours those creating lasting impact through their commitment to mental health and well-being."
The actor married his wife, Nancy Dolman, in 1980, and they adopted three children: Katherine, Oliver, 40, and Henry, 37.
