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They are the "worst kept secret" in Hollywood, or at least that’s what the people on the set of Only Murders in the Building have been whispering for months. When Meryl Streep joined the cast as Loretta Durkin, a struggling Broadway actress who falls for Martin Short’s eccentric Oliver Putnam, the chemistry wasn't just good. It was electric. It felt like watching two people rediscover a spark they thought had dimmed years ago.
Naturally, the internet did what the internet does. Every hand touch at a premiere and every shared laugh at the Golden Globes became "evidence." By early 2026, the question of are Meryl and Martin dating has moved from a fringe fan theory to a full-blown obsession.
The Timeline of the "Showmance"
It really started at the 2024 Golden Globes. They were seated together, leaning in close, looking far more like a couple than just two colleagues. Then came the Santa Monica dinner dates. Then the hand-holding at the Season 4 premiere.
Publicly, Martin Short has been a wall of polite denial. He told Bill Maher on his podcast quite clearly, "We're not a couple. We are just very close friends." But as 2025 rolled on, those denials started to feel a bit like a legal disclaimer—technically true in public, but maybe missing the point of what was happening in private.
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- February 2015: They first met (publicly) backstage at Marty's Broadway show It's Only a Play.
- January 2023: Meryl calls Marty and asks to be on Only Murders.
- October 2023: News breaks that Meryl and her husband Don Gummer had been separated for six years.
- March 2025: Major outlets like Page Six report the two have been dating for "well over a year."
- January 2026: New reports suggest that friends are even whispering about a wedding.
Honestly, the context matters here. Both of these icons have walked through significant grief. Martin lost his wife of 30 years, Nancy Dolman, to cancer in 2010. Meryl ended a 45-year marriage. Seeing two legends in their 70s find this kind of "teenager in high school" joy is why the public is so invested.
Why the Rumors Won't Die
You've probably seen the Instagram post from Steve Martin. You know the one—the photo of the three of them where Steve put a giant "cancel" emoji over his own face. It was the ultimate third-wheel joke.
In March 2025, an insider told Page Six that the romance was "completely unexpected" and took both of them by surprise. They weren't looking for love. They were looking for a good time on a TV set. But Meryl reportedly "couldn't help but fall for Martin" because he's a gentleman who keeps her laughing. Who can blame her?
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Are Meryl and Martin Dating or Just "Method Acting"?
Some skeptics think it’s all a brilliant PR move for the show. It's the ultimate "showmance" to keep the ratings high. But when you look at the candid shots—the ones where they aren't on a red carpet—it’s harder to dismiss. They spent Valentine’s Day 2025 together at the SNL50 concert. That’s a high-profile "just friends" date.
Their kids apparently approve too. That is usually the biggest hurdle in any late-stage romance. If the family is on board and the co-stars are "third-wheeling," it looks a lot more like a relationship than a marketing campaign.
The Reality of Celebrity Friendships
Look, in Hollywood, "we are just friends" is often code for "we aren't ready to let the public ruin this yet." Meryl has always been fiercely private about her personal life. She managed to keep a six-year separation from her husband a secret from the entire world. If she’s dating Martin Short, she isn't going to hold a press conference to announce it.
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The most likely scenario? They are enjoying a deep, romantic companionship that doesn't need a label or a marriage certificate to be real. They are "together-together" in every way that matters to them.
What to Watch for Next
If you're keeping tabs on the are Meryl and Martin dating saga, keep your eyes on the upcoming Season 5 production of Only Murders in the Building.
- Candid Set Photos: Look for how they interact when the director yells "cut." Reports from New York City sets in late 2025 suggested they were inseparable during breaks.
- Award Season 2026: If they show up to the next round of ceremonies and skip the "separate cars" routine, that’s your answer.
- The "No Symbol" Posts: If Steve Martin continues to crop himself out of photos, the joke has basically become a confirmation.
Ultimately, whether they ever confirm it with a joint statement or not, the evidence points to a beautiful, unexpected late-life romance. They’ve found a way to turn a fictional love story into a very real-life support system.