A Daily Struggle: Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About Grieving Her Husband

Jeff Baena with Aubrey Plaza in 2016. Credit: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.

Aubrey Plaza has spoken openly for the first time about the devastating loss of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. In a heartfelt exchange with close friend Amy Poehler on the podcast Good Hang, Plaza reflected on her grief and how she is navigating life after tragedy.

Jeff Baena, 47, died by suicide at his Los Angeles residence on January 3, 2025. He and Plaza had been together since 2011 and tied the knot quietly in 2021. Reports suggest the two had been living apart since September 2024, though their bond remained significant.

During the conversation, Plaza admitted that while she is managing day-to-day life, the emotional toll remains heavy. “I’m functioning, but every day feels like a battle,” she shared with Poehler. To illustrate her feelings, Plaza referenced the sci-fi film The Gorge, describing her grief as being trapped between cliffs, surrounded by threatening figures, and facing “an endless sea of dread.” Sometimes, she explained, the urge is to surrender to it, and at other times to escape it — but it never disappears.

Even in the midst of pain, Plaza expressed thankfulness for the care and encouragement she’s received. Sitting across from Poehler, she said that simply being present with a trusted friend gave her a moment of relief — underscoring how vital human connection can be in dark times.

Baena was celebrated for his work in independent cinema, having directed Life After Beth, The Little Hours, and Spin Me Round. He also co-wrote I Heart Huckabees. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Baena began his career assisting Robert Zemeckis before moving on to co-write projects with David O. Russell.

Aubrey Plaza’s story isn't just about a tragic loss—but about courage, artistry, and humanity. In her first public response to Jeff Baena’s passing, she didn't just share grief—she illuminated it, naming the "daily struggle" that many feel but few express so clearly.