Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About Jeff Baena's Death on 'Good Hang' Podcast
Aubrey Plaza, known for her strikingly deadpan humor and indie film roles, has finally spoken publicly about losing her husband, Jeff Baena. Baena, a respected screenwriter and director in the independent film world, died by suicide in January 2025 at just 47. Until now, Plaza stayed silent, avoiding interviews and press on her personal tragedy. Her decision to talk came during a heartfelt conversation with her longtime friend Amy Poehler on the podcast 'Good Hang,' marking a turning point in her journey through grief.
During the podcast, the raw honesty in Plaza's voice was impossible to ignore. When Poehler gently checked in, Plaza didn’t sugarcoat her feelings: 'I'm here and I'm functioning and I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think like I'm okay.' But beneath the surface, she admitted, 'It's a daily struggle.' Those words hit home for anyone who has walked through loss—it’s the kind of reality check that rarely gets shared in glossier celebrity interviews.
Baena’s death, officially ruled as suicide by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, still casts a long shadow. Although Plaza and Baena were separated several months before his passing, the connection remained strong. Plaza pointed out, 'He knows me the best,' highlighting how relationships can stay meaningful even after they've changed shape. Their marriage, which was famously private, included years of collaboration and quiet support for each other's work.
Finding Meaning and Support Amid Grief
What’s striking about Plaza’s interview isn’t just the sadness—she also touched on how she’s trying to find meaning in this heartbreak. She shared how watching 'The Gorge,' a recent movie starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy, gave her a metaphor for her own experience of grief. The film’s intense, emotionally complex story offered a lens for Plaza’s own feelings, showing how pop culture can sometimes offer surprising comfort or understanding during dark times.
The conversation between Plaza and Poehler wasn’t all heavy. There were real moments of levity too. Plaza found herself laughing, even if just for a moment, proving that joy can sneak back in, even in the bleakest moments. For fans who've followed her career—from her breakout in 'Parks and Recreation' to her more dramatic turns—seeing this side of Plaza is both unexpected and moving.
This new openness around loss isn’t just about one person’s story. Plaza’s willingness to speak about grief and mental health reminds us that celebrities aren’t immune to heartbreak, and their platforms can help spotlight issues too often kept in the shadows. The suicide death of a loved one leaves a unique and sometimes isolating pain, but conversations like these help others feel less alone. Plaza’s encouragement comes alongside the wider movement to normalize mental health struggles and connect people to support services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available around the clock for anyone facing a mental health emergency.
Plaza didn’t offer easy answers or Hollywood platitudes. Instead, she pulled back the curtain on what it looks and feels like to live with fresh grief, showing a side we rarely see. Her words and willingness to engage publicly in this dialogue offer not just catharsis for herself, but a lifeline for listeners navigating their own struggles.