How Meryl Streep And Martin Short Found Each Other In Heartbreak: Inside Their Unexpected Love Story

Hollywood might just be witnessing one of its most unexpected celebrity pairings, and fans are loving every bit of it. The rumoured couple in question is none other than legendary actress Meryl Streep and comedy veteran Martin Short. Streep, celebrated for her unforgettable role as ‘Miranda Priestley’ in The Devil Wears Prada, has been dominating the headlines for quite some time now over her iconic character’s return in the highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. At 75, she is redefining style with her bold red pumps, oversized sunglasses, and powerful, runway-worthy suits with an elegant candour.

Meryl Streep’s return as ‘Miranda Priestly’ has ignited fashion conversations everywhere, proving that the actress’s iconic presence has only grown stronger with time. She is reclaiming her crown as one of Hollywood’s ultimate style icons, thanks to her striking wardrobe and commanding performance. But beyond her return to one of her career’s most celebrated roles, Streep has also been dominating the headlines for months regarding whispers of a possible romance with her Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short. 

While both stars insist they are simply close friends, their undeniable chemistry keeps fans guessing. A March 2025 Page Six report even claimed they’ve been together for ‘well over a year’, fuelling curiosity about this unexpected pairing. What makes their bond remarkable is how two people, both profoundly shaped by love and heartbreak, appear to have found comfort and solace in each other.

A romance that ‘took them by surprise’

Meryl Streep and Martin Short, both celebrated legends in their own right, first sparked dating rumours towards the end of 2023, after they appeared especially cosy at the Golden Globes. Tabloids and fans have since been following their tracks, finding them together, be it in Saturday Night Live appearances or Broadway shows. Now, it seems the whispers had been right all along. 

A source close to the couple confirmed their relationship to Page Six in March 2025, stating that the romance was ‘completely unexpected’ as neither Meryl nor Martin was actively seeking love. Before she even knew it, Meryl found herself falling in love with her 74-year-old co-star, and now, the duo is loving each other’s company. The insider was quoted as saying:

“Meryl couldn’t help but fall for Martin. He is a gentleman, he keeps her laughing, and is an all-around positive person. She loves being around him.”

But when did the relationship start? If reports are to be believed, the connection grew after Meryl Streep and Martin Short starred opposite each other as love interests in Season 3 of Hulu’s hit series, Only Murders in the Building. Their on-screen chemistry as ‘Loretta Durkin’ and ‘Oliver Putnam’ was undeniable, but it seems the connection gradually took over real life as well.

Meryl Streep and Martin Short’s history of heartbreak and loss

Despite having achieved much success in their respective careers, both Streep and Short have had their fair shares of losses and heartbreaks. For Meryl Streep, the heartbreak came rather early, when she lost the love of her life, actor John Cazale, best known for The Godfather, to lung cancer in 1978. Only 29 years old at that time, Streep was left devastated at the loss. The actress was deeply in love with Cazale and became his carer during his illness.

The same year that she lost John Cazale, Meryl got married to popular sculptor Don Gummer. The couple stayed married for over four decades and shared four children, Louisa, Marnie, Grace, and Henry. Once considered a long-lasting couple in Hollywood, Meryl and Don separated in 2017, for reasons neither of them ever disclosed. Streep is still legally married to Don, but they are no longer together and have chosen to live apart.

Meanwhile, Martin Short, who had been deeply in love with his wife Nancy Dolman since 1972, lost her to ovarian cancer in 2010. The Oscar-winning comedy veteran had been married to Dolman for 30 years and built a loving family with their three adopted children, Katherine Elizabeth, Oliver Patrick, and Henry Hayter. 

In his interviews and his memoir, I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, the Clifford actor has spoken tenderly about how Nancy’s presence continues to guide him, describing their marriage as a turning point in his life. Short never remarried and continues to live with his beloved wife’s memories. 

An unexpected bond that took shape over shared heartbreak

Meryl Streep and Martin Short, both long-time acquaintances, found a friend in each other when they worked on the set of Only Murders in the Building Season 3. Their effortless chemistry and glittering eyes didn’t go unnoticed. With their shared glances and easy laughter, rumours surfaced that the two might be becoming more than friends. 

Not long after the show, Streep and Short were seen together off-screen as they attended shows and events. They sat side by side at the Golden Globes in January 2024, attended Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway in March 2024, and even joined the audience at an episode of Saturday Night Live in March 2025. Despite the rumours, the duo have dismissed the buzz, with Short telling People in a January 2025 interview that they are ‘just very good friends’. 

Is a marriage on the cards?

Whether or not Streep or Short confirm the rumours, the Page Six report mentioned that the duo, who are indeed in a relationship, don’t have marriage on their minds. The source claimed that the duo are happy dating as girlfriend and boyfriend and stated:

“Meryl is still legally married to Don, but even if she were divorced, that’s just not something that she or Martin are interested in.”

If the reports are to be believed, Streep and Short’s friends and family, as well as their kids, are thrilled to see the actors finding comfort in each other after so long. Speaking of how their relationship was received, the source remarked:

“Friends and family, including their kids, absolutely approve of their relationship and think they’re adorable together.”

Romance or not, Meryl Streep and Martin Short have found companions who understand that the shadows of heartbreak take care of each other’s happiness. Even if it’s a platonic bond, it’s something Hollywood loves to see in this age of fleeting relationships and broken promises.

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