In her first public comments since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, actress Aubrey Plaza has shared her experience with grief on a podcast hosted by her former Parks and Recreation co-star, Amy Poehler. Plaza, 41, described her emotional state as a “daily struggle” seven months after Baena’s death in January at the age of 47.
During an appearance on Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast, Plaza reflected on the personal tragedy, stating she is “functioning” and “grateful to be moving through the world” but that it remains a daily effort. She likened her grief to the plot of the 2025 sci-fi film The Gorge, explaining, “there’s a giant ocean of awfulness that’s right there and I can just see it.” Plaza added that sometimes she wants to “dive into it” and other times she tries to get away from it, but “it’s always there.”
Jeff Baena, a writer and director, collaborated with Plaza on several films, including Life After Beth (2014) and Spin Me Round (2022). Their relationship, which began in 2010, was largely private, and their marriage was only revealed by Plaza in a 2021 Instagram post. A medical examiner’s report indicated that Baena and Plaza had separated in September 2024.
The podcast conversation also touched upon the professional and personal bond between Plaza and Poehler, who worked together for years on the popular NBC sitcom. Poehler concluded the segment by praising Baena’s work, encouraging listeners to watch his “beautiful, funny” films and calling him an “incredible writer and director.”