Meryl Streep as Loretta and Martin Short as Oliver in the third season of “Only Murders in the Building".
Image: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Are Meryl Streep and Martin Short more than “just friends”?
That’s the question fans can’t stop asking as the two legendary actors continue to spark dating rumours with their undeniable chemistry both on and off the screen.
The internet is abuzz, and honestly, can you blame us? At 75 and 74 years old respectively, the septuagenarian stars are redefining what it means to fall in love later in life and we are here for it.
The rumours started swirling earlier this year when Streep and Short appeared very cosy at the 2024 Golden Globes Awards.
The buzz only grew louder when representatives for both actors remained tight-lipped, insisting the two were “just friends.”
But actions, as they say, speak louder than words.
Since then, the dynamic duo has been spotted attending Broadway shows together, holding hands at the season-four premiere of "Only Murders in the Building", and constantly cracking each other up in public.
Adding fuel to the fire, "Only Murders in the Building" co-creator John Hoffman told “Decider” that the pair “delighted in each other on-screen, off-screen, in every way.”
And let’s not forget Steve Martin’s cryptic Instagram post featuring the trio with his face hilariously covered by an emoji. If that’s not “stirring the pot", we don’t know what is.
But let’s rewind for a moment. This wouldn’t be the first time life imitates art. Streep and Short play love interests in the hit Hulu series, and according to an insider who spoke to “The Cut”, their romance was “completely unexpected,” and took both of them by surprise.
While their connection might seem sudden to fans, the pair’s bond runs deep. Both Streep and Short have experienced the profound loss of a significant other to cancer, a shared life experience that has reportedly brought them closer together.
Streep's former partner, actor John Cazale, tragically passed away from lung cancer in 1978. She has openly shared that his death left a lasting impact on her life.
Short, too, has faced heartbreak, losing his wife of 30 years, Nancy Dolman, to cancer in 2010.
“They’ve bonded over their shared experiences of love and loss,” the insider revealed. “Neither was looking for romance, but their connection just felt natural.”
Despite the growing speculation, it seems the pair aren’t rushing to put a label on their relationship.
A source close to them told “Page Six” that marriage is off the table.
Are Meryl Streep and Martin Short more than “just friends”?
Image: Instagram
“Meryl is still legally married to Don (Gummer), but even if she were divorced, that’s just not something she or Martin is interested in,” the source explained.
Instead, the two are reportedly enjoying their time together as “boyfriend and girlfriend.”
And honestly, who needs a wedding when you’re already capturing hearts everywhere?
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that Streep and Short's relationship, whether romantic or platonic, has the full support of their loved ones.
According to the “Page Six” source, their “friends and family, including their kids, absolutely approve of their relationship and think they’re adorable together.”
Fans, too, are rooting for the pair. Social media has been flooded with messages of encouragement, with many applauding their ability to find joy and companionship later in life.
After all, love isn’t just for the young, it’s for the young at heart.
Whether they’re simply close friends or something more, Streep and Short are a reminder that connections can be meaningful at any stage of life.
Their story filled with laughter, shared experiences, and undeniable chemistry feels like something out of a movie.
And let’s be real: in a world that’s often cynical about love, watching two Hollywood legends find happiness is the feel-good story we all need right now.