Aubrey Plaza: Fame, Michael Cera Past & Jeff Baena Tragedy

Often called the “deadpan queen” of Hollywood, Aubrey Plaza has navigated one of the most unpredictable career paths in modern entertainment. From her breakout as the jaded intern April Ludgate to her recent turns in high-budget superhero epics and psychological thrillers, she has proven herself to be a versatile powerhouse.

Below is the up-to-date biography of Aubrey Plaza, reflecting her life and work as of late 2025.

Aubrey Plaza Biography

Aubrey Plaza

Born Aubrey Christina Plaza on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware, she was named after the song “Aubrey” by the band Bread. Growing up with a Puerto Rican father and an Irish mother, Aubrey’s unique comedic voice began in the local theater scene. Her journey to stardom was marked by resilience; at the age of 20, she suffered a stroke that caused temporary expressive aphasia. After recovering, she attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and sharpened her skills as an intern at Saturday Night Live and an NBC page before landing her star-making role on Parks and Recreation.

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Career

Aubrey’s career is a masterclass in range. After defining a generation of “alt-comedy” with her deadpan delivery, she successfully pivoted into dramatic and genre-bending roles.

  • Breakout (2009–2015): Playing April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation.
  • Critical Darling (2017–2022): Earning acclaim for producing and starring in Ingrid Goes West, Emily the Criminal, and her Emmy-nominated turn in The White Lotus.
  • Blockbuster Era (2024–2025): Aubrey recently made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Rio Vidal (Death) in Agatha All Along. She also starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi epic Megalopolis and the 2025 detective comedy Honey Don’t!.

Aubrey Plaza Movies

Aubrey Plaza in character for the film Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola
  • Megalopolis (2024): Playing the ambitious TV reporter Wow Platinum.
  • Agatha All Along (2024): Her MCU debut as a powerful, ancient entity.
  • My Old Ass (2024): Playing the older, hallucinogenic version of the lead character.
  • Animal Friends (2025): A live-action/CGI hybrid starring alongside Ryan Reynolds.
  • Honey Don’t! (2025): An Ethan Coen-directed comedy that premiered to rave reviews at Cannes.
  • Liarmouth (2025): Starring in John Waters’ return to filmmaking.

Aubrey Plaza Net Worth

As of late 2025, Aubrey Plaza’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $10 million. Her financial growth reflects her transition from a supporting actress to a lead producer on projects like Emily the Criminal and Ingrid Goes West, alongside her work with major fashion houses like Loewe.

Family

Aubrey is the eldest of three sisters, Natalie and Renee. Her father, David Plaza, is a financial advisor, and her mother, Bernadette, is an attorney. Aubrey maintains a close-knit relationship with her sisters and often cites her multicultural upbringing as a source of her creative inspiration.

ALSO READ: Andie MacDowell: Timeless Star, Family & Hollywood Legacy

Relationships and Dating History

Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera

Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera

During the filming of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World in 2010, Aubrey dated co-star Michael Cera for roughly 18 months. The two famously almost got married as a joke while driving through Las Vegas, with the intent of getting an immediate divorce just so they could call each other “ex-spouses” at age 20. Despite the breakup, they remain close friends, with Aubrey calling him a “weird little freak” in the most affectionate way.

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena

Aubrey began a relationship with writer and director Jeff Baena in 2011. They were frequent creative collaborators, with Aubrey starring in four of his films, including Life After Beth and Spin Me Round. They married in a small backyard ceremony in 2021. However, the couple privately separated in September 2024. In January 2025, Baena tragically passed away. Aubrey has since spoken candidly about her grief, describing it as a “giant ocean of awfulness” that she is still navigating.

Controversies

Aubrey’s “controversies” are usually a result of her chaotic, surreal public persona. She once famously tried to take an award from Will Ferrell on stage at the MTV Movie Awards, leading to her being asked to leave the ceremony. In late 2024 and 2025, she faced minor scrutiny for her decision to continue filming projects during her separation from Baena, which she addressed by emphasizing that her work has always been her sanctuary. She also made headlines in 2024 for her “intentional trolling” of interviewers, which has become her signature brand.

Aubrey Plaza Age and Now

As of late 2025, Aubrey Plaza is 41 years old. Following a period of mourning in early 2025, she has returned to the spotlight with a renewed focus on her production company. She is currently filming the biopic of the infamous Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, a project that is already generating significant award-season buzz.

Conclusion

Margaret Qualley (right) and Aubrey Plaza (left) attending a screening or premiere for their film Honey Don't!

Aubrey Plaza has proven that “weird” is a superpower. From her indie roots to her status as a Marvel powerhouse, she remains one of the most authentic and unpredictable voices in Hollywood today. As she balances her grief with a flourishing professional chapter, her legacy as the queen of deadpan cinema is more secure than ever.

ALSO READ: Margaret Qualley: Fame, Pete Davidson Past & Jack Antonoff Love

Aniekan Andikan
Aniekan Andikan

Aniekan Andikan is a senior entertainment writer and researcher at Tushstories, specializing in the intersection of pop culture history and global celebrity legacies and relationships. With over 5 years of experience in blogging, Aniekan focuses on uncovering the lesser-known narratives of movie, sports and music icons. He holds a degree in Education and is dedicated to providing readers with deeply researched, human-centered biographies that go beyond basic facts. When not digging into film archives, Aniekan can be found exploring local art galleries in Ikot Ekpene

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