Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About Life After Jeff Baena’s Death

When Aubrey Plaza sat across from Amy Poehler on the Good Hang podcast, it wasn’t just another celebrity interview. It was two longtime friends sharing a deeply personal moment. For Plaza, who lost her husband Jeff Baena earlier this year, the conversation was about more than fame, comedy, or old Parks and Recreation memories—it was about survival, healing, and finding humor in the darkest places.

The Pain That Never Leaves

“It’s always there,” Plaza admitted when Poehler gently asked how she was doing. That one simple phrase summed up the nature of grief. No matter how many days pass, or how busy life gets, the sadness sits quietly in the background—ready to surface at any moment.

Plaza compared her emotions to the plot of The Gorge, a 2025 film starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. In her words, grief feels like standing between two cliffs while a pit of monsters waits below. Sometimes, she explained, you can avoid looking down. Other times, you’re tempted to dive right in. But no matter where you turn, the monsters—the pain—are always there.

That metaphor struck Poehler, who listened with the kind of tenderness only a close friend can provide. And for Plaza, putting the indescribable into cinematic terms helped express just how overwhelming grief can be.

Finding Comfort in Friendship

Despite the heaviness of the conversation, Plaza found moments to smile, especially when talking about her circle of friends. “My closest friends are the ones who make me laugh,” she said. Whether it’s a group text, late-night Zoom calls, or weekend trips, her longtime pals give her the gift of laughter—a small but powerful escape from everything she’s been carrying.

Poehler even pointed out that Plaza’s humor has always been her strength. She teased that Aubrey’s love language is joking around and gently making fun of the people she cares about. That ability to laugh—even when life feels unbearable—has become one of Plaza’s lifelines.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

• Grief never really goes away. Plaza described it as a constant presence, always lingering in the background.

• Art and stories can mirror emotions. Her comparison to The Gorge gave shape to something invisible but real.

• Friendship heals. Plaza leaned on her inner circle for laughter and connection.

• Animals help too. Poehler even called Plaza’s dog her “therapy dog,” recognizing the comfort pets bring in times of loss.

• Honesty matters. Rather than hiding behind a public persona, Plaza spoke openly about the ups and downs of her grief.

A Year Like No Other

For Plaza, 2025 has been anything but normal. Her husband, writer and director Jeff Baena, passed away in January at just 47 years old. According to records, his death was ruled a suicide. The news shocked fans and devastated those closest to him.

Plaza and Baena had built both a life and a career together. They collaborated on films like Life After Beth (2014) and The Little Hours (2017), blending their creative talents with their personal bond. After dating for nearly a decade, they officially tied the knot in 2021.

When word of Baena’s passing broke, the couple’s families called it an “unimaginable tragedy” and asked for privacy as they mourned. Plaza, though devastated, still found the strength to appear publicly a month later at the SNL50 anniversary telecast. The event carried its own significance, since Plaza had once been an NBC page and intern before her big break as an actress.

Living in the Present

During the podcast, Poehler asked Plaza the question everyone wants to know but few dare to ask: How are you really feeling?

“I’m here, I’m functioning, and I’m grateful,” Plaza replied. She explained that she’s living very much in the present moment—taking life one day at a time. “It’s a daily struggle,” she admitted, but sitting across from Poehler, she felt safe enough to acknowledge the progress she’s made, even if it doesn’t always feel like enough.

That mindset—focusing on the here and now—has become her anchor. For someone navigating such deep loss, it’s not about finding a quick fix. It’s about waking up, getting through the day, and holding on to gratitude where she can find it.

Laughter as Medicine

Toward the end of the interview, Poehler asked the same question she poses to all her podcast guests: What actually makes you laugh?

Plaza didn’t hesitate. It’s her close-knit circle of friends who bring joy to her life. She admitted she doesn’t laugh much at TV shows or movies, but real people—the ones she trusts the most—are the ones who crack her up.

Those friendships, built over years of shared memories, inside jokes, and unconditional support, have become a key part of her healing. In her own words: “That’s the best thing that makes me laugh, all my funny friends.”

The Therapy Dog in the Room

Before diving into the heavy stuff, Poehler broke the ice by asking about Plaza’s dog, who joined them in the studio. She jokingly called the pup Aubrey’s “therapy dog,” but the comment carried a deeper truth. Pets often become emotional lifelines after tragedy. For Plaza, her dog has been both a companion and a silent healer during her grieving process.

A Legacy of Love

Even though Plaza now faces the world without her partner, her relationship with Baena remains at the core of who she is. Their marriage wasn’t just about romance—it was about building things together, whether that was films, friendships, or a home.

Remembering him through art, humor, and shared stories has become one way she keeps him close. And though grief may always be there, so is the love they built.

Why This Conversation Mattered

Plaza’s openness on Good Hang was more than a celebrity talking about a personal loss—it was a reminder that grief is universal. Whether you’re famous or not, losing someone you love changes everything.

What stood out most wasn’t her pain, but her honesty. She didn’t sugarcoat how hard life has been. She didn’t pretend that time heals everything. Instead, she acknowledged the ongoing struggle while also celebrating the small victories: laughter, friendship, her dog, and simply being present.

Final Thoughts

Aubrey Plaza has always had a unique voice in Hollywood—dry, witty, and unapologetically herself. But this version of her—the one sitting with Amy Poehler, talking openly about grief—may be her most powerful role yet.

Her words serve as a reminder:

• Grief doesn’t follow a timeline.

• Humor and friendship can be lifelines.

• Love doesn’t disappear, even after loss.

• And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit you’re not okay.

For Plaza, the journey forward isn’t about forgetting Jeff Baena—it’s about finding ways to carry him with her while still moving through life. And as she continues to share her story, she gives permission to others to do the same.