Aubrey Plaza has always been known for her razor-sharp wit and deadpan delivery—but this year, the beloved actress is facing her toughest role yet: grieving the unimaginable loss of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. In honest, moving recent interviews, Plaza is sharing how she’s dealing with her heartbreak, offering rare emotional insight to fans and anyone who’s walked through loss.
Aubrey Plaza & Jeff Baena: A Love Story Cut Short
Plaza and Baena were partners for over a decade and married in 2021, collaborating on cult-favorite films like Life After Beth, The Little Hours, and Spin Me Round. Their creative chemistry, quirky humor, and low-key romance made them indie film’s favorite power couple. But tragedy struck in January 2025, when Baena died by suicide at just 47 years old, leaving Plaza and his family reeling.
According to Plaza, speaking on Amy Poehler’s podcast “Good Hang,” the grief is “a daily struggle… a giant ocean of awfulness that’s always there.” She likened the feeling to the sci-fi movie The Gorge—sometimes she might want to “plunge into it and just be in it,” while other days she’s able to simply observe it or even try to get away, but it’s “always there, and the monsters are always out to get me”.
Moving Forward, One Day at a Time
Plaza is open about the fact that healing isn’t linear. In her words, “Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you. I’m here and I’m functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through this world… I think I’m OK, but it’s like a daily struggle, obviously”.
She describes grief as a constant shadow, sometimes overwhelming, sometimes distant, but always a presence to reckon with. Plaza, who was reportedly separated from Baena for a short period before his death, remains united with his family: “We are immensely grateful to everyone who has provided support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Her openness has resonated deeply with friends and fans—from Parks and Recreation costars to the wider acting community—who have responded with a flood of support and compassion. Plaza continues to promote her projects (The White Lotus, Honey Don’t!), but makes it clear the pain is part of her daily life, not something to simply “get over.”
Bottom line: Aubrey Plaza’s honesty about the loss of her husband Jeff Baena is a reminder that even those who make us laugh face devastating heartbreak—and that, sometimes, grief is just about keeping going, one small step at a time. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support; you are not alone.
