Meryl Streep and Martin Short, the celebrated co-stars of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, recently made headlines with a joint appearance at the opening night of Tom Hanks’ new play, This World of Tomorrow. Their presence at the Griffin Theater in New York on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, reignited long-standing public fascination with their off-screen dynamic, which has been the subject of romantic speculation for over a year.
The pair, aged 76 and 75 respectively, were photographed backstage conversing with Hanks, 69, alongside his wife Rita Wilson, their son Chet Hanks, and Steve Martin with his wife Anne Stringfield. Streep and Short were notably dressed in matching black attire, a detail that further fueled the public’s keen interest in their connection. Despite the persistent rumors, a representative for Short issued a clear statement in 2024, emphasizing, "They are just very good friends, nothing more."
The rumors trace back to their undeniable chemistry on Only Murders in the Building, where Streep joined in its third season, which premiered in 2023. She portrays Loretta Durkin, a love interest for Short’s character, Oliver Putnam. Short has openly expressed the profound impact of working with Streep, a three-time Oscar winner, describing it as "one of the greatest thrills of my life."
He also confessed to a rare bout of nervousness on set, sharing his experience during a June appearance on Conan O’Brien’s podcast. "I remember the first day working with Meryl and driving to the studio and thinking, ‘Today I’m nervous.’ It had been a long time since I felt nervous going to set." Short recalled a scene where their characters were flirting at the piano, and after his take, Streep playfully admitted to feeling "nerves at half," prompting Short’s disbelief given his own apprehension.
The speculation around their off-screen romance intensified as their characters’ relationship deepened on the show. Even fellow celebrities have weighed in. Amy Schumer, who sat near Streep and Short at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary festivities in February, commented on the gossip. She mused, "I think the gossip is Marty might not be available. That’s what I see. I don’t know. … Maybe it’s just, like, the greatest actor of our time, I don’t know."
Further glimpses into their presumed connection emerged in September at the 2025 Emmy Awards. Short was seated with Steve Martin, 80, Selena Gomez, 33, and her now-husband Benny Blanco, 37. A video from the event circulated, showing Gomez observing Short smiling at his phone before she leaned into Blanco, reportedly whispering, "Marty is writing to Meryl."
Both Streep and Short have experienced significant personal losses in their marital lives. Streep was married to Don Gummer for nearly four decades before their discreet separation in 2017, a breakup that Us magazine confirmed six years later. They share four children: son Henry, 46, and daughters Mamie, 42, Grace, 39, and Louisa, 34. Short was married to Nancy Dolman from 1980 until her passing from ovarian cancer in 2010. During their marriage, they adopted three children: daughter Katherine, 41, and sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 35. The enduring public fascination with Streep and Short highlights a persistent curiosity about the chemistry that transcends the screen, even as their real-life bond remains officially categorized as a strong friendship.