The Enduring Friendship of Meryl Streep and Martin Short: From Stage to Screen

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Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep and Tony Award-winning actor and comedian Martin Short have been close friends for almost ten years. They first caught the public eye as friends backstage during the Broadway show It's Only a Play in 2015. Short joined the cast as James Wicker, and Streep attended a performance in February to show her support. Since then, they have enjoyed attending awards shows, having dinner dates, and watching more Broadway shows together.

Streep and Short grew closer during the filming of season 3 of Only Murders in the Building. Streep joined the cast alongside Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez, playing Short's onscreen lover, Loretta Durkin, a struggling actress. Despite being friends with the Devil Wears Prada star for a long time, Short admitted feeling nervous about working with Streep.

Short expressed his excitement about working with Streep during a "For Your Consideration" event in March 2024. He mentioned that it was a thrilling experience for him and admitted feeling nervous on the first day of shooting, even though he was not new to the industry. "I'm working with Meryl Streep," Short recalled thinking as he drove to work that day.

Streep and Short's onscreen chemistry at the 2024 Golden Globes and AFI Awards led to rumors of a romance, but Short denied them.

"We're not a couple," Short clarified during an interview on the "Club Random with Bill Maher" podcast in January 2024. "We are just very close friends."

Keep scrolling to see Streep and Short’s friendship through the years:

February 2015

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Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Short joined the Broadway cast of It’s Only a Play as James Wicker and Streep supported him by attending the February 3 performance. The two posed for a photo together backstage.

June 2017

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Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Turner

Short and Streep attended the AFI’s 45th Life Achievement Award Gala together in February 2023. They were there to celebrate and honor Diane Keaton. Martin, who is a longtime friend of Short and also his costar on Only Murders in the Building, joined them at the event.

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Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Streep, Short and Martin partied together at the opening night after-party for Broadway’s Pictures From Home.

August to October 2023

January 2024

In January 2024, it was announced that Streep would be returning to reprise her role as Loretta Durkin in the upcoming fourth season of OMITB. Streep had previously joined the cast in season 3 as Short's onscreen lover. After the season 3 finale, the series was renewed for another season, much to the delight of fans.

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Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI

Streep and Short sat next to each other at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards on January 7. Their friendly interactions led to dating rumors circulating as photos surfaced of the two laughing and enjoying each other's company. The OMITB cast members had a mini-reunion on the red carpet at the AFI Awards on January 12, where Streep and Short were once again seen sitting together and sharing smiles.

Later in the month, Short addressed the romance rumors during an appearance on the “Club Random with Bill Maher” podcast, setting the record straight.

“We’re not a couple. We are just very close friends,” he stated at the time.

February 2024

After debunking the rumors, Short and Streep were seen having dinner with a group of friends at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica.

March 2024

Meryl Streep and Martin Short Friendship Through the Years

Courtesy of Krystal Joy Brown/Instagram

Stepping out onto the bustling streets of New York City, they made their way to Broadway to attend a performance of Merrily We Roll Along. During the show, Streep and Short took a moment to pose for a photo with Krystal Joy Brown, who plays Gussie in the production, and shared it on Instagram.

In her post, Brown expressed her excitement by saying, "Performing for Meryl Streep and Martin Short is a dream come true for the entire cast and company!"

Editor's P/S:

The enduring friendship between Meryl Streep and Martin Short is a testament to the power of genuine connections. Their close bond, forged over a shared love of theater and a mutual respect for their craft, has stood the test of time. Despite rumors of romance, they have remained steadfast in their assertion that they are simply close friends, proving that platonic relationships between men and women can be just as fulfilling and meaningful.

Furthermore, their friendship highlights the importance of embracing different perspectives. Streep, known for her dramatic roles, and Short, known for his comedic genius, have found common ground in their appreciation for the nuances of human behavior. Their ability to laugh together, support each other's endeavors, and navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry together is a testament to the strength of their friendship.