Meryl Streep and Martin Short have reignited romance rumors after a recent dinner date in Santa Monica, leaving fans buzzing about the possibility of a real-life Hollywood power couple.
The 75-year-old “It’s Complicated” actress and the 74-year-old “Father of the Bride” star were spotted smiling and leaving a popular Italian restaurant together, fueling speculation about the true nature of their relationship.
At the 2024 Golden Globes, where they looked cozy and affectionate throughout the ceremony, the pair first sparked rumors. But Streep and Short were quick to shut down the gossip, with Short telling Bill Maher on his podcast that they were “just very close friends.”
However, the two have persistently teased fans with their apparent closeness, and their latest outing has once again sparked rumors.
The Smiley Dinner Date Page Six obtained photos showing Streep and Short heading into Giorgio Baldi, a celebrity-favorite Italian spot, both looking sharp and sporting wide smiles. Streep led the way in a patterned satin blouse and slouchy pants, while Short trailed behind in a gray plaid suit.
The pair appeared genuinely pleased as they left the restaurant and got into Streep’s car together, fueling the speculation that their relationship may be more than just a close friendship.
“They couldn’t hide their happiness heading out of the restaurant and getting into Streep’s car to go home,” the report notes.
The Soft Launch at the Hulu Premiere This latest sighting comes just a few months after Streep and Short seemingly “soft-launched” their rumored romance at the Season 4 premiere of their Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building.”
The co-stars looked cozy and affectionate at the after-party, and fans at the event noticed them holding hands on the red carpet.
Short has also been more vocal about his admiration for Streep in recent interviews, telling People in May, “She’s fabulous. There’s no one who doesn’t adore her.”
Could This Be the Start of a Hollywood Power Couple? If Streep and Short’s relationship is indeed romantic, it would undoubtedly establish a Hollywood power coupling that will endure for generations.
Both actors have had long, illustrious careers in the entertainment industry, with Short known for his comedic prowess and versatility and Streep widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of all time.
With their respective accolades and successes, a Streep-Short combination would be a formidable force.
Of course, the two have maintained that they are simply “very close friends,” and their representatives have firmly denied any romantic involvement. But as the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
The Curious Timing of Their Relationship Adding to the intrigue is the curious timing of Streep and Short’s supposed relationship. Streep’s 40-year marriage to sculptor Don Gummer ended in 2016, while Short’s wife of 30 years, Nancy Dolman, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010.
The fact that Streep and Short began working together on “Only Murders in the Building” in 2023, the same year that Streep’s split from Gummer became public knowledge, has certainly raised some eyebrows.
Regardless of the true nature of their relationship, Streep and Short’s on-screen chemistry and off-screen banter have captivated fans, who can’t help but wonder if there might be something more between the two legendary performers.
For now, the pair seems content to keep the public guessing, teasing fans with their smiley dinner dates and affectionate red carpet appearances. But if they do eventually decide to take their friendship to the next level, it would undoubtedly be the beginning of a new era for Hollywood’s elite.