Meryl Streep and Martin Short added fuel to ongoing Meryl Streep romance rumors on Tuesday, November 18, by appearing together at Tom Hanks’ new play, This World of Tomorrow, in New York City. The duo, known for their chemistry on Only Murders in the Building, mingled with Tom Hanks and other guests backstage at The Griffin Theater, intensifying interest in the nature of their relationship.
Streep and Short Attend Tom Hanks’ Play Together
Both Streep, 76, and Short, 75, were seen in coordinated black outfits as they joined Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Chet Hanks, Steve Martin, and Anne Stringfield at the theater opening. Their presence together was notable, given that rumors about a possible romance between them have persisted for about a year. Their appearance sparked a new round of speculation, despite previous denials from their representatives.
Statements and Denials About Their Relationship
A representative for Martin Short recently stated,
“They are just very good friends, nothing more.”
This position aligns with statements made in 2024, aiming to quell speculation about a romantic connection. Nevertheless, the close friendship and frequent public appearances of the two stars continue to attract public attention.
On-Screen Romance and Working Together
Martin Short has spoken about sharing the screen with Meryl Streep, describing it as
“one of the great thrills of my life.”
Streep joined the cast of Only Murders in the Building for its third season in 2023, portraying Loretta Durkin, the wife of Short’s character, Oliver Putnam. The dynamic between their characters led to further rumors as viewers drew parallels between their onscreen chemistry and real-life connection.
Short elaborated on his experience, recalling his initial anxiety about working alongside Streep:
“I remember the first day working with Meryl and driving to the studio and thinking, ‘I’m nervous today,’”
he shared on Conan O’Brien’s podcast in June. He added,
“I [hadn’t] been nervous going to the set for a long time.”
Describing one of their early scenes together, Short recounted,
“The first scene we shot in Only Murders was a scene where we’re at the piano and we’re, kind of, flirting a little bit,”
explaining how the pressure of performing alongside Streep was palpable. He further noted,
“The first shot set-up is over her to me, so pressure’s on me and then we break down so that they can reverse the cameras and do her side. We go into [the] holding area and she just says, ‘OK, nerves to half.’ I go, ‘Wait a second, I was nervous. You can’t be nervous.’”
Public Appearances and Speculation Intensifies
As Streep and Short’s characters fell in love on screen, offscreen speculation kept increasing. At the Only Murders’ premiere party, their interactions were closely watched by friends and fans alike. Amy Schumer, who sat with the pair during the Saturday Night Live 50th-anniversary celebration in February, contributed to the conversation by saying,
“I think that the tea is, I think Marty might be off the market. That’s what I’m seeing. I don’t know. … Maybe by just, like, the greatest actor of our time, I don’t know.”
Observed Behaviors at Major Events
These rumors were further stoked during the 2025 Emmy Awards, where Short was seated with Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Benny Blanco. In a viral moment, Gomez was seen peeking at Short as he smiled at his phone before telling Blanco, “Marty’s texting Meryl,” further fueling curiosity about his relationship with Streep.
Backgrounds of Meryl Streep and Martin Short
Meryl Streep was married to Don Gummer for almost 40 years before they parted ways quietly in 2017, a split that was only confirmed six years later. Streep and Gummer share four children: Henry, Mamie, Grace, and Louisa. On his side, Martin Short was married to Nancy Dolman from 1980 until her death in 2010. The couple adopted three children together: Katherine, Oliver, and Henry. Their respective family histories have often been referenced as part of discussions about their personal lives and the close friendship they now share.
Significance and Future Outlook
The recurring public appearances and friendly gestures between Meryl Streep and Martin Short continue to generate discussion among fans and the media, with the Meryl Streep romance rumors persisting despite repeated clarifications. Both stars maintain that they are longtime friends, but their mutual admiration and visible camaraderie remain a point of intrigue. Their future projects and potential red carpet outings are likely to keep this story in the spotlight, especially as interest in their professional and personal lives shows no signs of waning.
