Martin Short swears he’s not dating Meryl Streep: ‘We’re not a couple’

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.

[From People]

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:

— E! News (@enews) January 9, 2024

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 19: Martin Short at the Netflix LA Premiere Of Good Grief on December 19, 2023 at The Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California. Copyright: xFayexSadoux,Image: 831063102, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Faye Sadou / Avalon

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 19: Martin Short at the Netflix LA Premiere Of Good Grief on December 19, 2023 at The Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California. Copyright: xFayexSadoux,Image: 831063108, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Faye Sadou / Avalon

Meryl Streep bei der Verleihung der 81. Golden Globe Awards im Beverly Hilton Hotel. Beverly Hills, 07.01.2024 *** Meryl Streep at the 81 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Beverly Hills, 07 01 2024 Foto: globes_2024_4197,Image: 835168371, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Jennifer Bloc / Avalon

BEVERLY HILLS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – JANUARY 07: Meryl Streep wearing Valentino with Jimmy Choo shoes, a Bella Rosa Collection clutch, and Fred Leighton jewelry arrives at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 835215644, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Meryl Streep, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon