Aubrey Plaza Breaks Silence on Husband Jeff Baena’s Death After Seven Months

On Amy Poehler’s podcast, Plaza opens up about grief, resilience, and honoring Baena’s creative legacy

After seven months of silence, actress Aubrey Plaza has spoken publicly for the first time about the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena.

Plaza appeared on her longtime friend and Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast on August 19 to promote her new film Honey Don’t! (releasing August 22). But the conversation quickly turned to the painful loss that has defined her year.

Poehler, gently acknowledging the “terrible, tragic year,” held Plaza’s hand in support. Plaza responded with her trademark candor and wit, admitting to the difficulty of speaking openly about grief. “Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you,” she said. “I’m here and I’m functioning and I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I’m okay, but it’s a daily struggle, obviously.”

Grief as a Constant Companion

Plaza described her grief in stark metaphors, comparing it to the action-horror film The Gorge (2025). “It’s like at all times there’s a giant ocean of just awfulness,” she explained. “You see it, you dive into it, or try and get away from it. It’s just always there, and the monster people are trying to get me like Miles Teller.”

The podcast wasn’t entirely somber; the two friends reminisced about their Parks and Recreation days, discussed Plaza’s childhood, her early career, and shared laughs about animals and movies. Poehler expressed deep affection for her co-star: “The show felt like a true playground space. I loved and love working with you. I love playing with you. I love acting with you.”

Remembering Jeff Baena

Plaza, 41, had not spoken publicly since releasing a joint statement with Baena’s family in January calling his death “an unimaginable tragedy.” Baena, 47, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on January 3, 2025, with the cause of death later ruled as suicide. At the time, reports indicated that he and Plaza were separated, though they continued to collaborate professionally.

The couple, who began dating in 2010, quietly married in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they worked on several acclaimed projects, including the 2014 dark comedy Life After Beth and the 2022 romantic comedy Spin Me Round.

Poehler closed the podcast with a heartfelt tribute: “He was an incredible writer and director, and his work is really special. Please check out their beautiful, funny films together.”

For Plaza, speaking out marks a step in navigating a deeply personal journey of grief, resilience, and honoring the memory of a creative partner who shaped much of her life and career.