Actor Aubrey Plaza opens up on Amy Poehler’s podcast about grieving husband Jeff Baena’s death, calling it a “daily struggle” as she leans on friends and work.
Opening: Confronting the Void After Loss
Aubrey Plaza, the widely acclaimed actor, candidly shared her ongoing grief over the loss of her husband, Jeff Baena. In a poignant appearance on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang, which aired earlier this week, she revealed how the emotional burden remains a daily presence in her life.
Grieving Amidst Gratitude
Plaza expressed, “I’m here and I’m functioning, and I feel really grateful to be moving through the world… I’m OK. But, you know, it’s a daily struggle, obviously.” The struggle isn’t abstract, but a palpable reality she navigates with sincerity.
A Metaphor in the Gorge
Delving deeper into her emotional state, Plaza likened her grief to the 2025 film The Gorge, starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. She described grief as a “giant ocean of awfulness” flanked by metaphorical cliffs—always visible, sometimes overwhelming, and ever-present.
Finding Refuges in Laughter
When Poehler probed how she stays “on the cliff and not in the gorge,” Plaza credited her improv group, Bombardo. Through texts, Zoom calls, and getaways, her “funny friends” bring moments of laughter that buoy her amid sorrow.
New Projects, Continued Presence
Plaza’s appearance on Good Hang also served to promote Ethan Coen’s new film, Honey Don’t!, marking her first role since Baena’s passing. She plays a police officer in this thriller debuting this Friday. Her recent credits also include Agatha All Along, My Old Ass, and Megalopolis.
Legacy of Creative Partnership
Jeff Baena, a director-writer known for indie hits like I Heart Huckabees and The Little Hours, had collaborated extensively with Plaza. She starred in his 2014 debut Life After Beth, and co-starred in Joshy (2016). Their creative synergy went beyond romance—in 2017, Baena marveled at their collaboration, calling Plaza “down and so talented”.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
