Martin Short is enjoying a well-deserved third act renaissance thanks in part to Only Murders in the Building, the streaming comedy that has extended his career collaboration with Steve Martin. In truth, he is also a great dramatic actor (witness Damages), but he’s rarely gotten his due because of his wily comedic prowess on film. And boy, does he go there. So much so that he should have been Oscar-nominated in 1991 for his tour de force as Franc in the Father of the Bride remake with…Steve Martin.

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.