Hollywood actor Aubrey Plaza has spoken candidly about the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, who died by suicide in January. In an emotional conversation with longtime friend and co-star Amy Poehler, Plaza described the past months as a period marked by both pain and resilience.

Story Highlights

• Aubrey Plaza husband Jeff Baena death confirmed in January

• Baena, 47, died by suicide at his Los Angeles home

• Plaza says grief feels “like an ocean of awfulness”

• Couple married in 2021 after meeting in 2011

• Baena directed Life After Beth, The Little Hours; co-wrote I Heart Huckabees

“I Feel Grateful, But It’s a Daily Struggle”

During her appearance on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang, Plaza was asked how she was coping during what Poehler called “a terrible, terrible, tragic year.”

Plaza responded:
“Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you. Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I’m OK, but it’s like a daily struggle, obviously.”

Remembering Jeff Baena

Jeff Baena, 47, was found dead at his Los Angeles home earlier this year. His death was later confirmed as suicide. At the time, Aubrey Plaza and Baena’s family issued a joint statement, describing the loss as “an unimaginable tragedy.”

Baena was widely recognized for his offbeat comedies. He directed Life After Beth and The Little Hours, both starring Plaza, and co-wrote the acclaimed I Heart Huckabees with David O. Russell. His final film, Spin Me Round, featured Plaza alongside Alison Brie.

In a Guardian obituary, critic Ryan Gilbey praised Baena’s work as “enjoyably twisted,” highlighting his unique voice in independent cinema.

“Grief Feels Like a Gorge Filled with Monsters”

Plaza shared a metaphor inspired by the Apple sci-fi horror film The Gorge, starring Miles Teller, to explain how grief has felt since Baena’s passing.

“It’s like an alien movie with Miles Teller,” Plaza said. “In the movie, there’s a cliff on one side and a cliff on the other side and there’s a gorge in between and it’s filled with all these monster people that are trying to get them. I swear when I watched it, I was like, ‘That’s what this feels like, what my grief is like.’”

She continued:
“At all times there’s a giant ocean of awfulness that’s right there. Sometimes I just want to dive into it, sometimes I just look at it, and sometimes I’m just trying to get away from it. But it’s always there. And the monster people are trying to get me like Miles Teller.”

A Relationship Spanning a Decade

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena first met in 2011, developing both a personal and professional partnership. They worked together on several projects before marrying in 2021.

Plaza’s openness about her grief highlights the challenges faced by those coping with sudden loss. Her remarks also show how art and film can sometimes provide unexpected ways to describe emotions that are otherwise difficult to express.

Plaza’s Career Continues Amid Personal Loss

Despite the tragedy, Plaza remains active in her career. Known for her roles in Parks and Recreation, Ingrid Goes West, and Emily the Criminal, she will next appear in Ethan Coen’s upcoming comedy Honey Don’t.

For Plaza, continuing to work is part of moving forward, even as the memory of Baena remains constant.

The death of Jeff Baena has left a lasting impact on Aubrey Plaza, who continues to navigate life after tragedy with honesty and resilience. Her reflections on grief reveal both the depth of her loss and her determination to keep moving forward. While Plaza acknowledges that the pain is “always there,” she remains focused on her work and the creative legacy she shared with her husband. As she steps into new projects, Plaza carries Baena’s memory with her, reminding audiences that behind her success is a story of love, partnership, and profound loss.

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