Martin Short recalls first seeing Gilda Radner's unforgettable 'Godspell' audition

Martin Short reflected on the first time he saw late comedian Gilda Radner perform, revealing that her audition for the 1972 Toronto stage production of Godspell left him with an unforgettable first impression.

In the trailer for the upcoming documentary You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Short recalled watching Radner audition while wearing pigtails and singing Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.

"That is the most tragic thing I've ever seen," the Only Murders in the Building star remembered thinking at the time.

Martin Short and Gilda Radner later dated after 'Godspell'

Although Short admitted he was initially taken aback by Radner's audition, the pair later formed a relationship after meeting during the production. They dated on and off for several years before eventually going their separate ways.

The documentary revisits the celebrated Toronto production of Godspell, which featured several future comedy stars, including Eugene Levy and Victor Garber. Executive produced by Judd Apatow, the film also includes appearances from Mike Myers and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Short later married fellow Godspell cast member Nancy Dolman in 1980. Radner married musician G.E. Smith the same year before later tying the knot with actor Gene Wilder in 1984. She died from ovarian cancer in 1989.

Despite his humorous recollection of their first meeting, Short has often spoken warmly about Radner. During an appearance on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast in 2025, he described her as "the happiest person in the world."

You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution opens at New York's Film Forum on Sept. 18 before expanding to theatres nationwide on Sept. 25.