The Golden Globes were a hotbed of Hollywood couple action, from Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet to… Meryl Streep and Martin Short?? Meryl attended the Globes and sat with Martin Short, Selena Gomez and Steve Martin, at the Only Murders table (Meryl joined the cast in the most recent season). Short and Streep have been friends for decades, Meryl split with Don Gummer and Short is a widower, so there was suddenly a big explosion of interest in whether they were dating. Short’s rep denied it at the time, but all of the evidence kept pointing to something happening. Well, Martin made a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast (gross) and he once again denied dating Meryl.
Martin Short is setting the record straight on those Meryl Streep dating rumors. The actor and comedian, 73, appeared on Sunday’s episode of Club Random with Bill Maher and shut down claims that he’s dating his Only Murders in the Building costar, 74.
“We’re not a couple, we are just very close friends,” Short told podcast host Maher after he joked that they were a “power couple.”
“Well, you should because there’s nothing more powerful in Hollywood than a power couple,” Maher, 68, added light-heartedly in response. “It worked for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, it worked for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”
Rumors of Short and Streep dating began circulating after fans believed that the Hollywood stars appeared to be close at the Golden Globes earlier this month. However, a rep for Short confirmed to PEOPLE at the time that the pair “are just very good friends, nothing more.”
Short was married to actress Nancy Dolman from 1980 until her death from ovarian cancer in 2010. The pair share three children together: Katherine Elizabeth, 40, Oliver Patrick, 37, and Henry Hayter, 34.
The thing they say about hysterically funny people like Martin Short is that they’re pretty dark in real life. I don’t believe that about Short – I bet he’s completely lovely in real life, and I bet he would be a lovely boyfriend/partner to Meryl. Then again, it’s possible that Meryl is enjoying her single life after decades of marriage too. Maybe they’re both at a point in their lives where they don’t want to be coupled-up. Still, they actually would be a power couple if they dated. People would LOVE it.
Any romance in the building? Martin Short's rep sets the record straight on the rumor that he and #OnlyMurdersintheBuilding costar Meryl Streep are dating IRL: https://t.co/lPICEOroY0 pic.twitter.com/ViTepXPID5
— E! News (@enews) January 9, 2024
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Getty.
They had wonderful chemistry together on the show. I love that people are so interested in this pairing.
Senior ship. They have so much in common. Couple or not though, they were wonderful together on OMITB.
LOL at Maher’s power couple examples. Really worked out well for them, yeah? Smh
That stood out to me too, interesting choice of examples.
Yeah I was thinking the same, his two examples are actually showing it’s better to not be part of any power couple 🤣
I think it was his attempt at a joke.
He was so gracious when Kathie Lee forgot on air that Nancy had passed away. And the way he talks about her just makes me swoon. I’m sorry they didn’t have longer together.
I’m here for two people my age being a power couple. But only if they want to be.
The running joke is that Martin doesn’t have a dark past or personality. He grew up in a solid family in Canada, loved his wife to the end and is tight with his children and grandchildren.
I loved seeing glimpses of Martin in the documentary about Glida Radner! Such a good guy.
“It worked for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, it worked for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”
Not the 2 couples that first come to mind when I’m trying to come up with positive examples.
I read and enjoyed Martin Shorts book about his life.
He adored his wife, very moving to read.
I do not think they are a couple.
It seems rude and disrespectful to him to keep hinting they are involved.
He has stated they are not. He has stated they are good friends and they enjoy working together.
Leave it alone.
And, Bill Maher, fgs! Why would Martin Short even speak to BM?
I watched that interview for a bit. I couldn’t believe how much bill Maher talks! I wanted him to shut up so Martin short could talk more. Are his interviews always like this?