Hollywood star Aubrey Plaza has spoken candidly about coping with grief after the tragic death of her husband, Jeff Baena. The filmmaker passed away by suicide on January 3, 2025, at the age of 47.
Plaza, 41, discussed her emotional journey on the latest episode of Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hand. During the conversation, Poehler expressed concern for her friend, noting that Plaza’s dog Frankie had been like a “therapy dog” in recent months.
“You’ve had this terrible, tragic year,” Poehler said. “You lost your husband and you’ve been looking for ways to find support.” She then asked how Plaza was coping in the present moment.
Responding to the question, Aubrey Plaza admitted, “Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you.” She added, “Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I’m okay, but it’s like a daily struggle, obviously.”
The White Lotus star went on to describe grief with a unique comparison, referencing the 2025 film The Gorge starring Miles Teller. Plaza explained that grief felt like standing between two cliffs, with a terrifying gorge filled with monsters in between.
“At all times there’s this giant ocean of awfulness,” she said. “Sometimes I want to dive into it, sometimes I try to escape it, but it’s always there.”
Despite the pain, Plaza’s words reflected resilience and a determination to continue moving forward. Her openness about loss offered insight into the ongoing struggle of grief, while also showing the importance of companionship, whether from loved ones or even a loyal pet.
Through her candid reflections, Aubrey Plaza reminded listeners that grief is not a fixed state, but an ongoing journey of survival and healing.
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