Aubrey Plaza made her poignant return to the public eye following the tragic loss of her husband, Jeff Baena. On Sunday, February 16th, the 40-year-old actress attended the 'SNL50: The Anniversary Special' event in New York City, where she gracefully introduced musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard. Notably absent from the pre-event red carpet, Plaza's presence at the event marked a significant step in her journey of grief.
Dressed in solemn elegance, Plaza wore black dress pants paired with a black blazer over a simple tee, reflecting both her respect for the occasion and her personal mourning. Plaza and Baena, a talented writer and director, had begun their romance in 2011 and tied the knot in 2021. Baena's impressive filmography, which included titles like 'I Heart Huckabees' (2004), 'Life After Beth' (2014), 'Horse Girl' (2020), and his final film, 'Spin Me Round' (2022), stood as a testament to his creative legacy.
Tragically, Baena's life was cut short when he was found deceased at a Los Angeles-area home by an assistant on January 3rd, at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, according to TMZ. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner subsequently ruled his death a suicide. In a heartfelt statement released to PEOPLE on January 6th, Plaza and Baena's family expressed their profound sorrow, stating, "This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."
On January 10th, loved ones gathered in Miami to celebrate Baena's life at a poignant funeral. A moving obituary, published in the Miami Herald, portrayed Baena as "a beloved son, husband, brother, uncle, and friend to many," emphasizing his remarkable ability to build genuine relationships and bring people together, both on and off the movie set. The obituary fondly recalled Baena's childhood love for 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, quoting the book's iconic line, "I haven't much time. I have friends to find and so many things to learn." These words resonated deeply with Baena's own life, the obituary noted.
The obituary concluded by listing the cherished loved ones Baena left behind, expressing the poignant sentiment, "We shall always love and deeply miss Jeff. His presence, as well as his work, made the world feel better. He had lots more to offer. Alas, all that is gone. Sweet dreams, our Little Prince." Plaza's quiet strength and resilience during this challenging time were palpable, as she honored the memory of her late husband in her own way, amidst the glow of New York City's spotlight.
