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In an interview on the Today show Wednesday morning, Kathie Lee Gifford asked Martin Short about his current relationship with his wife, apparently unaware that he's been a widower since 2010.

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"He and Nancy have got one of the greatest marriages of anybody in show business," said Kathie Lee. "How many years now for you guys?"

"Thirty-six years," Martin replied kindly.

During a commercial break, Martin brought the blunder to the TV host's awareness, prompting her to give an on-air apology as well as this tweet: "I send my sincerest apologies to @MartinShort and his family. He handled situation w/enormous grace and kindness and I'm so grateful."

The actor's late wife passed away after a battle with ovarian cancer. The couple had three children together.