Aubrey Plaza has always been the queen of the uncomfortable silences and deadpan stares. You've probably seen her on Parks and Rec or The White Lotus and thought she was just playing a character. But in real life, her personal story took a turn that was more heartbreaking than any script she ever performed. People keep searching for "Aubrey Plaza ex husband" or trying to figure out why they split, but the truth is a lot heavier than a standard Hollywood divorce.
Honestly, it's a heavy subject.
The Mystery of the Aubrey Plaza Ex Husband Label
Most people looking for an "ex husband" are actually looking for Jeff Baena. Jeff was a brilliant writer and director. They were together for ages—like, 14 years. That is a lifetime in Los Angeles. They finally tied the knot in 2021 during the pandemic, and it was the most Aubrey Plaza wedding imaginable.
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She literally found a website called OneHourMarriage.com and had a neighbor who was a "witch" perform the ceremony in their backyard. They wore tie-dye. It was weird, sweet, and totally them.
But by late 2024, things had shifted.
What Went Wrong?
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report, Aubrey and Jeff were "experiencing marital difficulties" by the time 2024 rolled around. They officially separated in September 2024. Aubrey actually moved to New York while Jeff stayed back in their L.A. home.
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It wasn't a messy, public tabloid feud. It was quiet.
They stayed in touch. Aubrey was clearly worried about him. In October 2024, she even called a friend to do a welfare check because Jeff had said some "concerning" things to her over the phone. He started going to therapy after that. It seemed like they were trying to navigate the messiness of a separation while still caring for each other.
The Tragic End in January 2025
This is where the story stops being a "celebrity breakup" and becomes a tragedy. On January 3, 2025, Jeff Baena was found dead in his home. His dog walker found him. He was only 47. The medical examiner later ruled his death a suicide.
Technically, because they were separated at the time, people started using the term Aubrey Plaza ex husband, but they were still legally married.
Aubrey didn't talk about it for a long time. She pulled out of the Golden Globes. She went dark. When she finally did speak up—about eight months later on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast—she described the grief as a "giant ocean of awfulness."
A Partnership Built on Film
You can't talk about Jeff without talking about their movies. They weren't just a couple; they were a creative team.
- Life After Beth (2014): Jeff’s directorial debut, starring Aubrey as a zombie.
- The Little Hours (2017): A raunchy medieval comedy.
- Spin Me Round (2022): One of their final collaborations.
They worked together because they understood each other’s rhythms. Aubrey once said that working with your partner is a "special dynamic" but also "challenging." It's that classic "peaks and valleys" thing she mentioned to GQ back in 2022. She was always honest about the fact that their relationship wasn't perfect, which is probably why it felt so real to fans.
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Handling the Backlash
One of the weirder parts of their marriage was the reaction from the public. When Aubrey announced she was married, Jeff actually got death threats in his DMs. Some fans were upset because Aubrey had previously come out as bisexual and they felt "betrayed" that she married a man. It sounds ridiculous, but she talked about it in Cosmopolitan. She had to protect him from the weirdly intense side of her own fame.
Moving Forward After a Loss
Today, Aubrey is still working, but she’s clearly changed by what happened. She wore a tie-dye shirt during the SNL 50th Anniversary Special as a tribute to their wedding. It was a small, subtle nod that most people probably missed.
If you or someone you know is going through a hard time, please remember that help is out there. You can call or text 988 in the US and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Watch their collaborations: If you want to see the spark they had, watch Life After Beth or The Little Hours.
- Support Mental Health: Consider donating to organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in memory of Jeff Baena.
- Stay Informed: Follow reputable entertainment news for updates on Aubrey's upcoming projects, as she continues to honor Jeff's legacy through her work.