Aubrey Plaza has spoken openly about her ongoing grief following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, earlier this year. During an August 19 podcast episode recorded in Los Angeles, Plaza shared her emotional challenges as she continues to cope with the loss.
Aubrey Plaza Discusses Her Feelings on Amy Poehler’s Podcast
Plaza, 41, appeared on Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, where she brought along her dog, Frankie, who Poehler described as a “therapy dog” amid Plaza’s difficult year. The conversation opened with Poehler acknowledging the tragic impact of Baena’s death by suicide in early January.
To get it out of the way, people wanna see you and see how you are,
Poehler said.
They love you, and they wanna see you. You had this terrible, terrible, tragic year. You lost your husband. You’ve been dealing with that, and you’ve been looking for all different ways in which to feel and find support.
Later, Poehler asked Plaza,
On behalf of all of the people who feel like they know you, and the people who do know you, how are you feeling today?
Plaza responded by describing the current moment she shared with her longtime friend as one of happiness, but emphasized the persistent waves of grief she encounters day to day.
Plaza Describes Grief as a Constant, Unseen Force
The actress portrayed her journey through grief as ongoing and challenging. She said,
Overall, I’m here, and I’m functioning, and I feel grateful to be moving through the world. I think, like, I’m OK, but it’s a daily struggle, obviously,
highlighting the balance between coping and the pain she still feels.
Plaza used a cinematic metaphor to explain her emotional state, referencing the film The Gorge, which stars Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. In that movie, characters face danger between two cliffs, filled with monster-like adversaries.
This is kind of a dumb analogy, and it was kind of a joke at a certain point, but, like, I actually mean it,
Plaza explained.
Did you see that movie The Gorge? It’s like an alien movie or something with Miles Teller. In the movie, there’s a cliff on one side and a cliff on the other side, and there’s a gorge in between and it’s filled with all these monster people that are trying to get them.
She likened her grief to continuously facing a dark, menacing space.
I swear, when I watched it, I was like, that feels like what my grief is like. … Where it’s like, at all times, there’s like a giant ocean of awfulness that’s, like, right there, and I can see it, and sometimes I just wanna dive into it and be in it. And then, sometimes, I just look at it, and sometimes I just try to get away from it.
Plaza added,
But it’s always there and the monster people are trying to get me like Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy,
illustrating how the grief feels relentless and invasive.
Details on Jeff Baena’s Passing and Public Reaction
Medical examiner records indicate that Jeff Baena, a film director and Plaza’s husband, died by suicide at his Los Angeles residence on January 3. He was 47 years old. Following the tragedy, Plaza’s representative released a statement on January 6, expressing the family’s deep gratitude toward those offering support.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.
Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011 and married in 2020, sharing nearly a decade together before his unexpected death.
Support and Resources for Those Facing Crisis
In the wake of Baena’s death and Plaza’s openness about her grief, reminders have been issued about available mental health resources. Those struggling with emotional crises are encouraged to reach out for help by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org for support.
The Broader Impact of Aubrey Plaza’s Story
Plaza’s candid discussion of her grief following her husband’s death highlights the ongoing challenges many face when confronting loss and mental health struggles. By sharing her personal experience on a public platform, she not only acknowledges her pain but also helps destigmatize conversations about grief and suicide. As her story unfolds, it may inspire others to seek support and promote greater awareness around emotional well-being.
