Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About Her Grief Over Her Husband’s Death

Actress Aubrey Plaza recently shared her emotional journey through grief following the tragic loss of her husband, Jeff Baena, who died by suicide in January at age 47. In a candid interview on a podcast, she described her daily struggle to cope with the pain.

During the conversation, Plaza expressed her current state of being, noting that she feels “happy to be with you” and is “functioning” despite her ongoing mourning. She likened her grief to the scene from the movie “The Gorge,” where two snipers guard a vast, ominous valley without knowing what lies inside. She explained that her sorrow feels like a giant ocean of sadness always present, just beneath the surface.

Plaza shared that her sources of joy include her close-knit group of female friends, whose humor and companionship help her find moments of laughter amid her grief. She also reflected on her relationship with Baena, whom she began dating in 2011. The couple notably married during the COVID-19 pandemic in a spontaneous, tie-dye pajama wedding on their tenth anniversary.

The pair had been separated since September 2024 when Plaza moved to New York, a few months before Baena’s death. Following the tragedy, Plaza and Baena’s family issued a joint statement expressing their profound grief and gratitude for the support received. Despite the loss, Plaza remains resilient and credits her friends’ humor as a vital source of comfort during this difficult time.