Honestly, if you had told me five years ago that the most talked-about "it couple" of 2025 would be a pair of septuagenarian acting legends who solve murders in their spare time, I’d have probably laughed. But here we are. The meryl streep boyfriend 2025 search results are basically just a massive fan club for her and Martin Short.
It’s sweet. It’s a bit chaotic. And it’s exactly the kind of Hollywood news we actually need right now.
The rumors didn't just appear out of thin air. They started as a slow burn during the filming of Only Murders in the Building and exploded when the two were spotted looking remarkably cozy at the 2024 Golden Globes. Fast forward to early 2025, and the "just friends" defense is starting to wear pretty thin. While their reps might still be sticking to the script, anyone with eyes can see there's something real happening between the three-time Oscar winner and the comedy icon.
The Timeline: How We Got Here
Meryl Streep and Martin Short have actually known each other since at least 2015. They were photographed backstage at his Broadway show It’s Only a Play, but back then, it was just two titans of the industry showing mutual respect.
Everything changed in late 2023.
That’s when the news broke that Meryl and her husband of 45 years, sculptor Don Gummer, had actually been separated since 2017. It was a shocker. People realized she had been living a "single" life in the public eye for six years without anyone noticing. Shortly after that revelation, she joined the cast of Only Murders, playing Loretta Durkin—the love interest of Martin Short’s character, Oliver Putnam.
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The chemistry was instant. Like, "this isn't just acting" instant.
By the time the meryl streep boyfriend 2025 rumors reached a fever pitch, we’d already seen them:
- Holding hands at the Season 4 premiere of Only Murders (August 2024).
- Sitting together at the SNL50 anniversary special (February 2025).
- Looking like "two teens in high school" at a Broadway show in November 2025.
Is Martin Short Actually the One?
A source told Page Six in March 2025 that the two have been dating for "well over a year." The insider claimed Meryl "couldn't help but fall for Martin" because he’s a gentleman who keeps her laughing. Honestly? Relatable. If you’ve ever watched a Martin Short interview, you know the man is a human spark plug.
They’ve both dealt with profound loss, too.
Martin’s wife, Nancy Dolman, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010. Meryl lost the early love of her life, John Cazale, to cancer back in the 70s. There's a depth to their connection that goes beyond just being "funny." Insiders have noted they bonded over these shared experiences of grief and rebuilding. It makes the whole "meryl streep boyfriend 2025" narrative feel less like a tabloid fling and more like a late-in-life gift.
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Why They Keep Denying It
You've probably seen the headlines where Martin says, "We're just very close friends." He said it on Bill Maher's podcast. He said it to The Hollywood Reporter. He says it a lot.
But here’s the thing: why would they confirm it?
Meryl Streep is notoriously private. She kept a six-year separation quiet while winning awards and doing global press tours. She doesn't owe the internet a confirmation of her dinner dates. Plus, there's a certain power in the "worst kept secret" approach. They get to go to Broadway shows, sit together at the Globes, and laugh in the front row of SNL without the suffocating pressure of an official "Brand Couple" label.
What Most People Get Wrong
People keep waiting for a wedding announcement or a formal Instagram post. (Could you imagine Meryl Streep doing a "hard launch" on the ‘gram? Unlikely.)
The reality of meryl streep boyfriend 2025 is likely much more low-key. They are two wealthy, successful, older adults who enjoy each other’s company. They don't need to merge assets or get a joint mortgage. Recent reports from late 2025 and early 2026 suggest their friends and adult children "absolutely approve" of the relationship. When the kids are on board and your best friend (Steve Martin) is posting cropped photos of you two together on social media, you’re basically family anyway.
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Key Takeaways for Fans
If you’re following this story, here is the "vibe check" for where things stand as we move through 2025:
- The "Showmance" is likely real. The on-screen spark in Only Murders clearly leaked into real life.
- Laughter is the glue. Every source mentions how much Martin makes her laugh. For a woman who has spent decades doing heavy dramatic lifting, that's a powerful aphrodisiac.
- Privacy is paramount. Don't expect a Vogue cover story about their love. Expect more blurry paparazzi shots of them leaving Italian restaurants in Santa Monica.
- It’s a win for "Late Love." It’s refreshing to see two people in their 70s being the most exciting couple in Hollywood.
If you want to see their chemistry in action, your best bet is still re-watching their scenes in Only Murders in the Building. Their first scene together was reportedly a "nervous affair" for both of them—a rare admission of vulnerability from two legends. It turns out even Meryl Streep gets butterflies when she’s around someone she likes.
Keep an eye on the 2026 awards season. If they’re still sitting side-by-side and whispering in each other's ears during the monologues, you can consider the "boyfriend" status pretty much solidified, regardless of what the publicists say.
Next Steps for the Curious:
Watch the Season 5 premiere of Only Murders in the Building to see if their real-life closeness has changed the dynamic of Oliver and Loretta. You can also check out Martin Short's memoir, I Must Say, to understand his history with love and loss, which gives a lot of context to why this pairing with Meryl feels so right.