Aubrey Plaza is breaking her silence in a sincere way about navigating grief after the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. During an appearance on Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast, the "White Lotus" actress, 41, reflected on the loss of Baena, who died at 47 on January 3, 2025. Poehler, a longtime friend and "Parks and Recreation" co-star, gave Plaza space to share how she's been coping in the months since.
After Poehler acknowledged Plaza's painful year, she gently asked how her friend was really doing. Plaza's response was candid: "Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you," she said. "Overall, I'm here and I'm functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I'm okay, but it's like a daily struggle, obviously."
She also credited her dog Frankie as a comforting companion during this time, joking that the pup had become her unofficial "therapy dog."
Comparing Grief to 'The Gorge'
In a vulnerable but uniquely Plaza way, she compared her experience of grief to the 2025 sci-fi thriller "The Gorge," starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. "There's a cliff on one side, a cliff on the other side, and in the middle, this gorge filled with monsters trying to get them," Plaza explained. "I swear when I watched it, I was like, that feels like what my grief is like. At all times there's this giant ocean of awfulness right there. Sometimes I want to dive into it, sometimes I look at it, and sometimes I try to get away from it. But it's always there."
A Love Story That Began in 2011
Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011. Fans first learned of their marriage in May 2021 when Plaza referred to him on Instagram as her "darling husband," a moment later confirmed by her rep.
Baena, a writer and director, was known for films such as "Life After Beth" and "The Little Hours." Following his passing, Plaza and Baena's family released a joint statement calling his death an "unimaginable tragedy" and thanking fans for their support. "This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time," they said.
The Sundance Film Festival responded to the news with a statement: "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jeff Baena for sharing his stories and contributing to the lasting memories we've built together," the X statement read, "Jeff, we'll miss your wit, humor, and daring vision. Rest in peace, friend."
Moving Forward While Remembering
Aubrey Plaza's conversation with Poehler offered a glimpse of both her pain and her resilience. She is choosing to stay present, surrounded by the people and pets who love her, while acknowledging the ongoing weight of grief.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the U.S. for confidential support 24/7.