Aubrey Plaza, known for her roles in Parks and Recreation and The White Lotus, recently opened up about her marriage to filmmaker Jeff Baena in a rare interview just months before his unexpected death at 47.
During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show in September 2024, Plaza shared candid insights into her life as a wife to a writer-director.
Insight Into Their Unique Relationship
In their conversation, Plaza discussed the dynamics of maintaining both personal relationships and friendships while navigating the entertainment industry.
When Stern pointed out that being married to a filmmaker seemed to suit her better than marrying an actor, Plaza agreed.
She spoke openly about how she felt “happy” overall, though Stern’s probing questions led her to reflect on the loneliness that sometimes accompanies fame.
“I don’t know how much of this is a put on, but it sounds like you’re not that happy,” Stern remarked, prompting a thoughtful response from Plaza.
“It’s lonely at the top,” she acknowledged with a laugh.
She further explained that as an actress, she often found herself manipulating her emotions to suit her role, an approach Stern described as potentially “dangerous.”
Her Approach to Friendships and Trust
Stern also delved into the concept of friendship, asking if she ever doubted whether her friends were truly genuine.
Plaza admitted to being selective with her circle, emphasizing the importance of long-term connections over seeking new ones.
“I have friends from high school, and I’m not out there trying to make new friends,” she said, offering a glimpse into her more private side.
As their conversation continued, Plaza touched on the difficulties of being in a relationship with someone in the same career.
While she had not been with another actor for an extended period, she acknowledged the unique challenges that can arise when two people in the same industry are both trying to succeed.
The Shocking Loss of Jeff Baena
Just months after this interview, Plaza’s husband, Jeff Baena, tragically passed away at the age of 47.
Baena was found dead in their Los Angeles home on January 4, 2025.
His body was discovered by an assistant around 10:30 a.m. that morning.
The director, best known for his work on Life After Beth and The Little Hours, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Baena’s family has expressed their devastation over the loss and has requested privacy during this difficult time.
The film world is also mourning the loss of a talented director and writer who left a lasting impact through his work, including his acclaimed films I Heart Huckabees and Spin Me Round.
A Final Touching Tribute
In one of her last social media posts with her husband, shared in May 2021, Plaza expressed immense pride in Baena’s work.
“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to Italia to cause some more trouble,” she wrote, accompanied by a photo of the couple looking lovingly at each other.
This heartfelt tribute came shortly before they worked together on Spin Me Round, a project they both had a hand in.
Baena is survived by his wife, Aubrey Plaza, and his family, including his mother, stepfather, and siblings.
Although Plaza has not publicly commented on her husband’s death yet, the entertainment community is holding the couple in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.