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Aubrey Plaza Reflects on Grief, Growth, and Her Career Following the Loss of Husband Jeff Baena
In 2025, Aubrey Plaza is navigating one of the most challenging periods of her life—both personally and professionally. Known for her distinct roles in television and film, Plaza faced a devastating loss at the start of the year when her husband, writer and director Jeff Baena, died by suicide at the age of 47.
While continuing to work in film and television, she has also quietly begun sharing glimpses into her journey through grief. In a recent conversation with longtime friend and collaborator Amy Poehler on the Good Hang podcast, Plaza opened up about the emotional weight of the past months, the importance of support systems, and how returning to creative work has shaped her perspective.
Now, as she appears in new projects like Honey Don’t! and Marvel’s Agatha All Along, Plaza is speaking candidly about the balance between personal loss and professional life—offering an honest look at what it means to keep going in the face of unimaginable change.
Aubrey Plaza turned heartbreak into a new kind of presence
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena got married in a secret wedding in 2021.
Source: Mark Davis/Getty Images
On January 3, 2025, Aubrey Plaza’s husband, writer and director Jeff Baena, died by suicide at age 47. The couple had been together since 2011 and confirmed their marriage in 2021. His passing was described in a family statement as an “unimaginable tragedy.”
In her appearance on Good Hang, Plaza was asked directly by longtime friend and former co-star Amy Poehler how she was managing. “Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning,” she said. “I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I’m okay, but it’s like a daily struggle, obviously.”
Plaza described grief in vivid terms, comparing it to the 2025 film The Gorge, where characters are surrounded by dangerous terrain. “At all times there’s like a giant ocean of awfulness, that’s like right there and I can see it,” she explained. “Sometimes I just want to dive into it, and just like be in it. Then sometimes I just look at it, and sometimes I try to get away from it. But it’s always there.”
Why Plaza’s return to film wasn’t just a comeback
Despite the emotional challenges of early 2025, Plaza resumed work on several high-profile projects. Her performance in Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t! marked her first major release since Baena’s death. She plays a local police officer in a dark comedy set for release on August 22, 2025.
She also stars in My Old Ass, a surrealist comedy-drama, and appears in the Marvel series Agatha All Along. These roles reflect not just her range as an actress, but her ability to return to work while managing personal grief.
Though Plaza hasn’t characterised her return to film as a statement, the timing and strength of her performances signal a continued commitment to her craft, even in the face of personal upheaval.
How one improvised line saved TV’s most beloved misfit romance
Plaza’s breakthrough role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation remains one of her most recognizable performances. One memorable moment from the series came when she improvised a line that ultimately changed the trajectory of her character’s relationship with Andy Dwyer (played by Chris Pratt).
During a scene where Andy discusses his band, Plaza — unscripted — said, “I like it.” That subtle moment led to the development of a romance between the characters, something not originally planned by the writers.
Plaza later advocated for that pairing, telling show creator Michael Schur that April would genuinely be drawn to Andy. “April thinks Andy is cool because he’s so not cool that he’s cool,” she recalled saying. That decision shaped one of the show’s most beloved storylines.
Why April Ludgate was never meant to become Leslie Knope — and that’s the point
There were initial ideas within the Parks and Recreation writing team to evolve April Ludgate into a more cheerful, Leslie Knope-type character. Plaza, however, opposed that shift, choosing instead to stay true to the original vision of her character.
This resistance to creative compromise has remained a hallmark of her approach to acting. Plaza’s characters are often complex, resistant to easy categorization, and reflective of a broader range of human emotion than typical comedic archetypes.
How Aubrey Plaza is healing
Aubrey Plaza.
Source: Getty Images
While speaking on the podcast, Plaza credited her friends — especially members of her long-time improv group Bombardo — as being a vital source of emotional support. “We have a text chain, we do Zooms, and we do trips,” she said. “Those girls make me laugh really, really hard.”
She also shared that her dog, Frankie, has acted as a “therapy dog” in recent months, helping her find moments of comfort amid grief. It’s a reminder that beyond public appearances and work commitments, Plaza continues to find strength in her connections.
Public response and continued privacy
Following Baena’s death, Plaza and his family released a brief but heartfelt statement asking for privacy while thanking those who had offered support. Since then, Plaza has spoken selectively about her personal experience, choosing platforms like Good Hang to share her thoughts with trusted friends rather than in formal press interviews.
This approach has allowed her to control the narrative around her grief without withdrawing completely from public life. It reflects a careful balance between openness and boundaries — a balance that many find relatable and respectful.
FAQs
Is Aubrey Plaza still acting after Jeff Baena’s death? Yes. She returned to the screen with several high-profile projects, including Honey Don’t!, Agatha All Along, and My Old Ass.
How did Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena meet? They began dating years before Plaza starred in his 2014 directorial debut, Life After Beth. They remained both romantic and professional partners throughout his career.
What happened to Jeff Baena? Baena died by suicide in January 2025 at age 47.
Is Aubrey Plaza married? She was privately married to Jeff Baena. The couple never made a public spectacle of their marriage, preferring to keep things intimate and personal.
Will Aubrey Plaza continue speaking about grief? While she keeps many aspects of her life private, Plaza has been open about her grief in interviews and podcasts, offering a rare and resonant perspective on loss.
