Martin Short reveals why he is drawn to his Only Murders In The Building character

Only Murders In The Building star Martin Short says he has

“always been drawn toward any character that has a bravado that’s clearly masking insecurity.”

According to Deadline, the 75-year-old actor sees his role as Oliver Putnam as fitting that type. Short compares Oliver’s traits to characters he admired growing up, such as Don Knotts on The Andy Griffith Show, who

“had a swagger, but you knew great insecurity.”

In Only Murders In The Building, Short plays a theater director who teams up with neighbors Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) to solve murders in their building. The show began filming during the 2020 lockdown and is now in its fifth season, which Short says is “amazing” and “not expected” for a streaming series.

Oliver’s showmanship, exaggerated stories, and underlying self-doubt make him a standout in the ensemble. Short credits the writers for shaping the character but notes that his interpretation comes from small choices, like clothing and delivery.

As he explained to Deadline, in Oliver’s first scene, when a driver honks at him, he shouts,

“Did you not see this coat?”

For Short, that line led to questions about

“what kind of coat is that” and “is that how he dresses,” helping him build Oliver’s persona.

---

Building Oliver Putnam’s personality

Short told Deadline that the character development starts

“in the description and what the character’s saying”

before he fills in details like appearance and behavior. He said he looks for the mix of confidence and doubt:

“I’ve always been drawn toward any character that has a bravado that’s clearly masking insecurity.”

He recalled that, like Knotts’ character, Oliver might present stories about celebrities he knows, but

“are they really true?”

Short works within the show’s tightly scripted format but sometimes adds “freedom takes,” where he improvises after delivering the written lines.

“Sometimes they use some of that, and sometimes they don’t,” he said.

Short also noted that the overall storylines are not his responsibility.

“I don’t want it,” he said about shaping the plot.

He trusts the production team, explaining,

“Once you start to feel, ‘No, we’re in safe hands,’ you let that go. It’s more time to learn lines.”

---

A fifth season of Only Murders In The Building in streaming

According to Deadline, Short and Martin initially thought Only Murders In The Building might last only one season.

“We were just hoping that it would be interesting,” Short said.

He realized Only Murders In The Building was working after seeing early episodes as an executive producer.

“Boy, actually, this is fun. I like these characters, and I like their interaction.”

The fifth season of Only Murders In The Building focuses on

“the shifting power dynamics of the country,” said producer John Hoffmann, particularly within New York.

The season’s plot draws from headlines and looks at “the old mob and the new mob mixing in” with the main trio in the middle.

Guest stars are a key feature of each season. Short confirmed that casting decisions are run past him, Martin, and Gomez. If he personally or professionally disliked someone,

“that vote would go a long way” toward rejecting the choice.

---

Comedy across generations

Short said Only Murders In The Building benefits from having Gomez represent a younger audience, making the dynamic

“much more nuanced.”

The actor, whose career spans TV, film, and live shows, has found new fans through the series. He can often guess what people will mention when they approach him:

“If it’s a 45-year-old guy, it’s ¡Three Amigos! If it’s a 40-year-old woman, it’s Father of the Bride. If it’s a 28-year-old who looks like he’s on meth, it’s Clifford.”

Short acknowledged that Clifford received poor reviews on release in 1994, but said it now has

“a very passionate fan base.”

Outside the series, Short continues to perform live with Steve Martin. He said switching between projects keeps him interested:

“I love the idea of doing one thing and then you’re doing another. It’s like, ‘Oh, now you’re doing live shows,’ and ‘Oh, now you’re back to filming again.’”

---

Oliver Putnam’s bravado and insecurity keep Martin Short coming back each season, a character he says is “real and funny” while always leaving room for surprise.