Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short’s Special Friendship

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

As I delve deeper into the fascinating world of these exceptional artists, Meryl Streep and Martin Short, I find myself utterly captivated by their remarkable journeys. Their stories are as moving as any script they have ever brought to life on screen.


Each time Meryl Streep and Martin Short venture out together, it makes one wonder if they’re just friendly neighbors.

According to Short’s representative, they were just “very good friends, with no more” after their intimate Golden Globes appearance in January, effectively dismissing dating rumors. However, this didn’t stop people on the internet from enthusiastically shipping them together, despite the absence of concrete evidence suggesting a romantic relationship was underway.

Regardless of Short restating it multiple times afterwards, and always emphasizing this whenever asked, he made it clear on the January 28th episode of Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast that they are not a romantic couple, but rather extremely close friends.

Since then, their frequent appearances together in public could be explained by the need to market the fourth season of “Only Murders in the Building.” Given that their characters, the self-centered Oliver (the theater director) and secretive Loretta (an actress), developed a romantic relationship during the third season, it’s plausible they wanted to capitalize on their on-screen chemistry for promotional purposes.

It’s quite possible that they were the only two cast members who posed together for photos at the L.A. premiere in August, because they were a couple.

Despite their denials, they’ve provided sufficient hints or indications along the way that have kept fans speculating about the possibility of their legendary skills being something more than a lifelong friendship.

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

Over a long period of time, these inseparable friends attended the Broadway performance of “Merrily We Roll Along” together in March. Not only did they clasp hands at the red carpet premiere of “The Only Murders,” but they also held hands throughout the after-party. Furthermore, they always sat side by side at every award ceremonies, such as the 2024 Emmys which took place last month.

However, on October 16th, they decided to dine at a renowned Santa Monica eatery frequently frequented by celebrities, causing paparazzi to flock immediately once darkness fell. This was an uncommon occurrence in public for the notoriously private Meryl Streep.

Perhaps they are well-informed about the consequences of their observations, and they’re adding a touch of playfulness to the situation.

Apart from Steve Martin himself, even he joined the excitement, sharing a picture with Short and Streep on the opening night of Pictures From Home on Broadway on February 9, 2023. In this photo, he marked a “no” sign over his own image.

The commenters had a field day, with one playfully chiding, “Steve is a gossip!”

Of course, there’s no denying the heartwarming feelings we all shared when Short expressed his strong bond with Streep in August. He said, “Our friendship keeps growing each time we collaborate and I admire her deeply.

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

In a sense, one could argue that the former SCTV cast member might have made a similar statement about his lengthy comedic collaboration with Martin. The stars of Father of the Bride began their creative resurgence together in 2015 with their joint stage show titled “An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life.” This production was later nominated for an Emmy, turned into a 2018 Netflix special, and undeniably left viewers craving additional content from these seasoned entertainers.

But Short and Streep do go way back.

In February 2015, Meryl Streep attended a performance of the Broadway show “It’s Only a Play” along with other theater enthusiasts, as Matthew Broderick also became part of the production at that time.

As the three-time Academy Award winner stood alongside the entire cast for group photos, she and Short huddled closely for a more intimate shot.

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

At the 45th Life Achievement Award Gala held by the American Film Institute in 2017, they were seated at the same table as Martin and the evening’s special honoree, Diane Keaton.

Additionally, they were observed sharing a sweet instance during the 2022 SAG Awards. At this event, Short was recognized for his individual performance and as part of the Only Murders team, while Streep, who hadn’t been involved with the series at that point, was nominated alongside the cast of Don’t Look Up.

Looking back now, it’s clear that their interaction carried an undenied warmth. Initially, they seemed like two colleagues, long-time associates within the realm of entertainment, exchanging hearty chuckles. Incidentally, Meryl Streep was adorning what appeared to be her wedding jewels at the time.

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

Although they moved in close proximity or overlapping circles for many years, they hadn’t collaborated on any project previously, as depicted in “Only Murders in the Building.

In an interview with TopMob News in September, he shared that on their first day of filming together, he was heading to work, but being no stranger to the entertainment industry, he found himself feeling apprehensive. Then it struck him, “I’m working with Meryl.” Surprisingly, even she, a seasoned actress like Meryl Streep, confessed that she too felt a bit jittery.

Short remembered her saying, “My nerves are halfway,” to which he replied, “Oh, alright, that’s quite interesting. Perhaps that’s why you’re such a great actress, as you never take anything for granted.

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

In the room, Short and Streep were winning hearts with their charisma, and John Hoffman, co-creator of OMITB, shared that they truly enjoyed each other both on and off the screen. He said this ahead of the season four finale on October 29.

Reflecting on filming Oliver and Loretta’s blossoming relationship on the series, Hoffman reminisced about Meryl Streep becoming emotional following an extended shoot of their unforeseen date night on the Staten Island Ferry in season three.

She mentioned that she was thrilled to perform a scene she hadn’t expected to get the opportunity for. ‘Performing romantic scenes at my age with this group in such an interesting manner,’ Hoffman expressed, ‘is simply an incredible experience.’

Hoffman commented, “I couldn’t help but wish that the world would fall in love with this pair just as we all have, for the enchantment they generate together.

Additionally, as they approach these intimate moments, both actors infuse the scenes with their unique insights gained from personal encounters with love and bereavement.

In March 1978, when she was 28 years old, Meryl Streep’s fiancé, actor John Cazale from “The Godfather,” passed away due to lung cancer at the age of 42. Just nine months later, she tied the knot with sculptor Don Gummer and together they welcomed four children: a son named Henry Wolfe who is also a musician, and three actress daughters, Mamie Gummer, Grace Gummer, and Louisa Jacobson Gummer.

However, even though she’s one of the most respected actresses globally, Streep managed to maintain a remarkably private life. It was revealed in October 2023 that she and her husband had parted ways over six years prior, as confirmed by her representative to TopMob News, stating, “Though they continue to hold each other in high regard, they have decided to live separately.

Katherine, Oliver, and Henry are the children of dad, and he was married to Nancy Dolman for 30 years. Sadly, Nancy passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010 at the age of 58.

People are still inquiring today about the heartfelt manner he described Dolman in his 2014 memoir titled “I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend“.

In August, he told The Hollywood Reporter that they had been together for 36 years. He didn’t want to overlook Nancy.)

In my heart-wrenching ordeal, I found myself saying something extraordinary to my children. It was a tough goodbye, no doubt about it, but in the midst of our sorrow, I found solace in this: “I truly believe, my dear ones, that Mom has ascended into the core of who we are.

And, for the record, he told the publication that he and Streep were friends.

Inside Meryl Streep and Martin Short's Special Friendship

Meanwhile, Streep has remained quiet in the midst of emotional gossip swirling around, a figure who is crucial for drawing viewers to the screen and garnering awards recognition, yet she avoids the rigors of constant media scrutiny.

But even if Streep does at some point say that they’re friends and that’s all, her bond with Short is still one to savor.

And we’ll always have Oliver and Loretta’s crackling chemistry.

Last year, I shared with The Wrap my thoughts on the unexpected yet captivating duo of Meryl Streep and Martin Short. Their connection was something extraordinary, as Meryl herself put it, it wasn’t predictable or focused on age-related themes. Instead, it was a genuine romance that felt authentic and heartwarming.

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2024-10-27 17:19