Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About Grief Over Late Husband in Candid Podcast Appearance

Los Angeles, August 20, 2025 - Aubrey Plaza, an Emmy-nominated actress, opened up about her life after her husband, writer-director Jeff Baena, passed away. She shared her feelings in a touching interview on the “Good Hang” podcast, hosted by her close friend Amy Poehler.

Plaza, 41, was married to Baena for nearly four years. He died by suicide on January 3, 2025. She described her feelings as “present” and “functioning.” Still, she noted that coping with loss is “a daily struggle.” ““Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you,” she told Poehler. ““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 definitely a daily challenge, without a doubt.”

Plaza compared her grief to the thriller The Gorge. In the story, two characters stand on cliffs. They are separated by a chasm filled with “monster people.” ““It’s like an ocean of awfulness that’s right there and visible,” she explained. ““Sometimes I just want to dive into it and just be in it. Then sometimes I just look at it. And sometimes I try to get away from it. But it’s always there.”

Baena, 47, teamed up with Plaza on multiple films. These include Life After Beth (2014), The Little Hours (2017), and Spin Me Round (2022). The couple legally married in a private ceremony in 2021. However, they had been living apart since September 2024. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office noted they were “experiencing marital difficulties” before his death.

In the interview, Plaza mentioned her late husband. She said he was a huge support for her career. ““When you’re with someone in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level,” she said. ““You’re able to support each other and really understand the journey that we’re both on.”

As she prepares for the upcoming premiere of her new film Honey Don’t! This Friday, Plaza stressed the need to keep working. They want to honor Baena’s legacy through their joint projects. ““I feel lucky to be moving forward creatively,” she said. “I carry his influence with me at every step.”