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Aubrey Plaza
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Aubrey Plaza
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Aubrey Christina Plaza (born June 26, 1984) is an American actress, comedian, and producer. She began performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. After graduating from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Plaza made her feature film debut in Mystery Team (2009) and gained wide recognition for her role as April Ludgate on the NBC political satire sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015).

Key Information

In film, Plaza had a supporting role in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) and a leading role in Safety Not Guaranteed (2012). From 2017 to 2019, Plaza portrayed the Shadow King and Lenny Busker in the critically praised FX superhero series Legion, and produced and starred in the 2017 black comedy films The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West. She also starred in the romantic comedy Happiest Season and thriller Black Bear (both 2020) as well as produced and played the title character in the crime film Emily the Criminal (2022).

Plaza received nominations for a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for her role as a strait-laced lawyer in the second season of the HBO anthology series The White Lotus (2022). Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.[1] In 2024, she starred in Megalopolis and My Old Ass and as Rio Vidal/Death in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries Agatha All Along.

Early life and education

[edit]

Aubrey Christina Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware.[2] The eldest of three sisters,[3] she was born when her parents, Bernadette and David Plaza, were 19 and 20. Plaza said she was inspired by their work ethic; when she was young, they worked various jobs to make ends meet and attended night school to become an attorney and financial advisor.[4][5][6][7] Her paternal family is Puerto Rican:[8][9] her grandfather was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and moved to the mainland US when he was 17 years old.[10] She has some Indigenous American (Taíno)[11][12] and Basque heritage.[13] Plaza's mother, who was adopted, is of Irish descent;[14][15][5] Plaza's maternal (adoptive) grandparents were from Ireland, where their family remained, and her grandfather was also himself adopted.[16] While her parents worked, Plaza was raised by her Irish grandparents and her Puerto Rican family.[14][17]

As a child, Plaza loved films and actively engaged in imaginative play.[14] She described herself as shy and quiet until middle school, when she discovered and acted in community theater.[18][5][19] Plaza said her upbringing was "very Catholic",[20][21][22] and she attended Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school. While in high school, she was student-council president of her school, performed in theatrical productions with the Wilmington Drama League and the Delaware Theatre Company,[3][23] and made short films as a hobby.[24][25] Aged sixteen, she represented Ursuline at a Delaware youth leadership conference held by Joe Biden.[26][27] As a teen, Plaza's aunt gave her a job at a video store, during which she discovered her love of independent films and filmmakers that inspired her, such as John Waters and Christopher Guest. Waters' satirical film Serial Mom (1994) made a significant impact on her, and she connected with his comedic sensibility.[32][16] She also enrolled at an improv school in Philadelphia[15] and, in 2001, attended New York Film Academy's summer camp for filmmaking.[33] She graduated the following year from Ursuline Academy and moved to New York.[18] Plaza studied film and television production at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2006.[3][34]

Career

[edit]

2004–2009: career beginnings

[edit]
A dark brunette woman wearing a yellow dress smiles.
Plaza at the Parks and Recreation premiere party in 2009

Plaza trained and performed improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre since 2004.[3][35][19] She also performed at the Laugh Factory and The Improv.[33] Plaza named Amy Poehler as an inspiration for her decision to perform improv.[31][36] She described her experience at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre as "intoxicating", explaining: "It just truly felt like we are in an underground – literally, underground – theatre doing an art form that is so fucking hard, and just so fun when you get it right."[36] While she was in film school, she had an internship at Saturday Night Live for the 2004–2005 season, and then became an NBC page. During this apprenticeship she appeared in an episode of 30 Rock in 2006.[4][37] Though being a page at 30 Rockefeller Plaza was a lower position than her SNL internship, it is a "legendary" and highly selective program.[38] She was also in two short films in 2006, Killswitch and In Love.[39] In 2008, she was part of an Improv Everywhere sketch where she and others took an entire desktop computer and monitor to a Starbucks in New York City.[40][34] Plaza had a recurring role in Maggie Carey's web series The Jeannie Tate Show, played the role of Robin Gibney in ESPN's Mayne Street (2008),[34][17] and appeared in the first episode of "Terrible Decisions with Ben Schwartz" on Funny or Die.[41]

In 2009, she made her feature film debut in Derrick Comedy's Mystery Team. She then played a standup comic and Seth Rogen's love interest in the black comedy-drama film Funny People, directed by Judd Apatow.[34] As she did not have experience performing standup, she signed up for open mic nights at comedy clubs and bars in New York City to prepare for the role.[33][24] For her audition tape, she performed and recorded five minutes of standup comedy at her friend Donald Glover's standup show.[42][17] When Plaza flew to Los Angeles for Funny People, the film's casting director Allison Jones asked her if she wanted to attend other meetings while she was in the city. Jones set up a meeting with Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, who were developing Parks and Recreation. At the meeting, they told her the idea for the show's pilot and that they were considering giving Amy Poehler's character an assistant who was a doltish blonde. Plaza pitched them instead the character of a smart intern who is at the department only for college credit and does not care about the job, which Plaza thought would be an interesting, comedic contrast with Poehler's character. They liked the concept for the character and created April Ludgate.[43][14][6][42] Plaza, who said that in real life she was like Poehler's earnestly hard-working character, took inspiration from her younger sister for April's apathetic disposition.[44][45][5] Plaza played the role from 2009 to 2015. She received praise for her performance, and April was considered one of the show's breakout characters.[2][46]

2010–2016: rise in film and television

[edit]
Plaza in 2012

While Plaza was in Los Angeles for Funny People and Parks and Recreation, Allison Jones also recommended that she audition for Edgar Wright's romantic action comedy film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). Plaza was cast in the film, playing the supporting character Julie Powers.[34][17] On March 12, 2010, Plaza performed at A Night of 140 Tweets: A Celebrity Tweetathon for Haiti, produced by Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, Ben Stiller, and Mike Rosenstein, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles.[47] In the breaks between filming Parks and Recreation seasons, Plaza appeared in other projects, films and television series. She appeared in a CollegeHumor short alongside Jason Bateman and Will Arnett. In 2011, she had a recurring role in the sketch comedy series Portlandia,[34] and guest starred as "The Princess" in the comedic sci-fi web series Troopers on CollegeHumor.[48][49] She also appeared in the comedy-drama film Damsels in Distress (2011) and the romantic comedy 10 Years (2011).[50][51]

In 2012, Plaza had her first starring role in a major film in the comedy Safety Not Guaranteed, playing a magazine intern who answers a curious want ad.[34] Her performance received positive reviews, and she won the award for Breakthrough Performance (Female) at the 2012 Young Hollywood Awards.[52][42] In 2013, she portrayed the character Sacagawea in the Drunk History episode "Nashville" during a segment on Lewis and Clark's expedition.[53] In 2013, she also had the starring role in the CBS Film The To Do List. In an impromptu attempt to promote the film, Plaza ran onto the stage at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards and grabbed Will Ferrell's award for Comedic Genius, inspired by Kanye West's interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, with a drink in hand while the film's name was written across her chest. She was ejected from the studio lot where the ceremony was held.[54]

Plaza voiced Eska in the animated fantasy action television series The Legend of Korra (2013–2014).[34] She also voiced Grumpy Cat in the Lifetime Network's television film Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever (2014).[55] Plaza starred in the 2014 horror comedy film Life After Beth about a young woman who returns from the dead, written and directed by her husband Jeff Baena, and in Hal Hartley's drama film Ned Rifle (2014).[34]

In 2016, Plaza starred in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates alongside Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick, and Adam DeVine. Her role as the rebellious Tatiana earned her critical praise. Then, she was a guest star on HarmonQuest, as a gnome named "Hawaiian Coffee" and portrayed Aaron Burr in the "Hamilton" episode of Drunk History.[56] She also provided a guest voice for the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Mall Girl Pearl" with Betty White.[57] That same year, she portrayed Cat Adams, a contract killer, first in Season 11 of the CBS television series Criminal Minds, and then again in Season 12 and 15.[58] Also in 2016 she played Lenore in Dirty Grandpa beside Zoey Deutch, Zac Efron and Robert De Niro.

2017–present: career expansion

[edit]
Plaza at WonderCon in 2019

In 2017, Plaza starred in and produced the films The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West. The former is a black comedy about medieval nuns loosely based on stories from The Decameron.[34] Both films premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In Ingrid Goes West, Plaza portrayed the social media obsessed fan of an influencer played by Elizabeth Olsen. Variety film critic Peter Debruge praised Plaza's performance writing: "Plaza's tortured performance captures all of this, which is saying something for an actress whose blasé persona hinges on the fact that she can't be bothered: Nobody plays ambivalence better, and yet, Plaza allows herself to seem vulnerable here."[59] The film won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. The following year, she starred in the indie comedy An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn.[60]

From 2017 to 2019, Plaza portrayed both Amahl Farouk / Shadow King and Lenny Busker in the FX series Legion,[61] which was critically praised along with Plaza's performance.[62][63][46] The role of Lenny was originally written for a middle aged man. When Plaza was offered it, she requested that the character's dialogue and actions remain, as she did not want it "being tied down to anything gender-wise".[64][65] David Bowie was an inspiration for her approach to the role.[64] She was given creative freedom with the character and collaborated with directors and choreographers on sequences that were ambiguously described on the page.[66] In 2019 and 2020, Plaza hosted the Independent Spirit Awards.[67] In 2019, she starred in Child's Play, a reboot of the 1988 film, as Andy's mother who brings home a killer doll, Chucky.[68]

In 2020, Plaza played Riley Johnson in the romantic comedy Happiest Season,[69] and produced and starred in the independent experimental thriller Black Bear, garnering critical acclaim for her performance.[70][71][72] Black Bear follows a filmmaker who retreats to a cabin in the mountains to find inspiration for her next film.[73] NME wrote that the film "examin[es] the power dynamics in filmmaking",[36] and Collider considered it an exploration of "human relationships, gender dynamics, and celebrity".[74]

In 2021, Plaza wrote and made her directorial debut with the episode "Quiet Illness" of the Showtime anthology series Cinema Toast.[75] Created by her partner Jeff Baena, the series reinvents imagery from public domain films to tell different stories. In crafting "Quiet Illness", Plaza was inspired by actress Loretta Young's experiences and footage of her appearances. She edited various film and television clips starring Young into a psychological thriller about a woman's self-esteem, and cast Christina Ricci as a voice narrator.[76][77] She described the project as "trippy" with a "pandemic-filming style".[36] Plaza said that she has always had an interest in directing, and she had been writing a project during the COVID-19 pandemic.[77] She also wrote a children's book with Dan Murphy, The Legend of the Christmas Witch (2021), illustrated by Julia Iredale.[78]

Plaza produced and starred as the titular character in the independent film Emily the Criminal (2022), portraying a woman saddled with student debt and compelled into criminal activity.[79] Her performance and the film received critical acclaim,[19][80][81] with The New York Times calling it "wonderfully nuanced",[82] Little White Lies writing that it is "perhaps Plaza’s best performance to date",[83] and the Chicago Sun-Times deeming it "richly layered work" and "one of the best performances of the year in one of the best movies of the year".[84] She also appeared in the film Spin Me Round, which premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in 2022.[85] In the second season of the HBO anthology series The White Lotus, Plaza portrayed Harper, a lawyer vacationing in Sicily with her husband.[86][87] For her performance in the series, she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.[88][89] On August 25, 2022, the adult animated sitcom Little Demon premiered on FXX, which features the voices of Plaza (who is also an executive producer), Danny DeVito, and Lucy DeVito.[90] In October 2022, Plaza was given the Artist of Distinction Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival.[91]

At the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, Plaza received a nomination for Best Lead Performance for Emily the Criminal, as well as a nomination for Best First Feature as producer.[92] In January 2023, she hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time and appeared in multiple sketches.[93] In May, Plaza received criticism for participating in a parody ad for "Wood Milk", which mocked plant-based milks in favor of dairy.[94][95] In July, it was announced that she would be making her stage debut in an off-Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, a two-hander about strangers who become lovers after meeting at a dive bar, opposite her Black Bear costar Christopher Abbott.[96][97][98] She was nominated for the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award.[99] Time magazine named Plaza one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.[1]

In 2024, Plaza and her Parks and Recreation costar Nick Offerman reunited in a Mountain Dew ad that aired during the Super Bowl LVIII broadcast.[100] She was confirmed to be starring in John Waters's first film in over 20 years, Liarmouth, based on his novel of the same name.[101] Plaza portrays the future self of Elliott Labrant in the comedy film My Old Ass (2024), and TV presenter Wow Platinum in Francis Ford Coppola's epic science fiction drama Megalopolis (2024).[102] She portrayed Rio Vidal / Death in the Disney+ miniseries Agatha All Along, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which premiered on September 18, 2024.[103]

Plaza has been the spokesperson for Cointreau's "MargaRight" advertising campaign since 2023.[104]

Personal life

[edit]

Relationships

[edit]
Plaza and Jeff Baena in 2017.

Plaza has stated that she falls in love with both women and men.[105][106][107] She met and started dating actor Michael Cera when they were filming Scott Pilgrim vs. the World; during their 18-month relationship, Plaza and Cera almost got married as a joke while driving through Las Vegas. Cera explained that "the idea was to then get a divorce right away, so we could call each other 'my ex-husband' and 'my ex-wife' at like[,] 20 [years old]."[108][109]

She met writer and director Jeff Baena at a game night in 2011, and they began a relationship. The couple were frequent creative collaborators, with Plaza starring in four of Baena's films.[110] He proposed to her at a site related to the Basque witch trials in Zugarramurdi,[111][13] before they spontaneously got married in 2021. Deciding to wed on their tenth anniversary together to celebrate, they had a small ceremony in their backyard.[112] They quietly separated in September 2024 after experiencing marital difficulties, and Plaza moved to New York but remained in frequent contact with Baena.[113][114] On January 3, 2025, Baena was found dead; the cause of death was suicide.[115][116] Plaza pulled out of presenting at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards (held on January 5) before hosting part of the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special on February 16, during which she paid tribute to Baena by wearing a tie-dye shirt like the ones they wore for their wedding.[117]

Health

[edit]

Plaza had a stroke when she was 20 years old, which caused temporary paralysis and temporary expressive aphasia.[118] Several years later, she had a transient ischemic attack while on the set of Parks and Recreation.[3][119][120] She has discussed that she experiences social anxiety.[121][122][123]

A recreational basketball player, Plaza has had two ACL tears from the sport: first in the mid-2010s during a recreational league game, and then in 2024 when she participated in a game of knockout ahead of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.[124][125]

Acting credits

[edit]
Main article: Aubrey Plaza filmography

According to the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Plaza's most critically acclaimed films include Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), Ned Rifle (2014), Ingrid Goes West (2017), The Little Hours (2017), Black Bear (2020), Happiest Season (2020), Emily the Criminal (2022), and My Old Ass (2024). Her most critically acclaimed television projects include Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), Legion (2017–2019), Calls (2021), Little Demon (2022), The White Lotus (2022), Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023) and Agatha All Along (2024).[126]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year[a] Work Category Result Ref.
ALMA Awards 2011 Parks and Recreation Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role Nominated [127]
2012 Safety Not Guaranteed Favorite Movie Actress – Comedy/Musical Won [128]
[129]
Parks and Recreation Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in Comedy Nominated
American Comedy Awards 2014 Best Comedy Supporting Actress – TV Nominated [130]
Astra Film Awards 2021 — Acting Achievement Won [131]
Astra TV Awards 2023 The White Lotus Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series Nominated [132]
Saturday Night Live Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Chlotrudis Awards 2013 Safety Not Guaranteed Best Actress Nominated [133]
2018 Ingrid Goes West Nominated [134]
2021 Black Bear Nominated [135]
2018 The Little Hours Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast[b] Nominated [136]
Dorian Awards 2023 The White Lotus Best Supporting TV Performance – Drama Nominated [137]
Drama League Awards 2024 Danny and the Deep Blue Sea Distinguished Performance Nominated [138]
Golden Globe Awards 2023 The White Lotus Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [139]
Golden Raspberry Awards 2017 Dirty Grandpa Worst Supporting Actress Nominated [140]
2025 Megalopolis Worst Screen Combo[c] Nominated [141]
Gotham Awards 2012 Safety Not Guaranteed Best Ensemble Cast[b] Nominated [142]
2022 Emily the Criminal Outstanding Lead Performance Nominated [143]
Imagen Awards 2010 Parks and Recreation Best Supporting Actress – Television Nominated [144]
2012 Nominated [145]
2013 Nominated [146]
2014 Nominated [147]
2018 Legion Best Actress – Television Nominated [148]
2021 Black Bear Best Actress – Feature Film Won [149]
2023 The White Lotus Best Supporting Actress – Television (Drama) Won [150]
Independent Spirit Awards 2018 Ingrid Goes West Best First Feature[d] Won [151]
2023 Emily the Criminal Best Lead Performance Nominated [92]
Best First Feature[d] Nominated
International Cinephile Society Awards 2025 Megalopolis Best Supporting Actress Nominated [152]
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2018 Legion Best Villain Nominated [153]
2023 The White Lotus Best Performance in a Show Nominated [154]
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Awards 2024 Megalopolis Best Supporting Actress Runner-up [155]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2024 The White Lotus Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [156]
Queerties 2025 Agatha All Along TV Performance Won [157]
Riviera International Film Festival 2021 — Icon Award Won [158]
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 2021 Black Bear Best Actress Nominated [159]
2024 My Old Ass Best Comedic Performance Nominated [160]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards 2023 Emily the Criminal Best Actress Nominated [161]
Saturn Awards 2025 Agatha All Along Best Guest Starring Role on Television Nominated [162]
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2023 The White Lotus Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series[b] Won [163]
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards 2012 Safety Not Guaranteed Best Actress Nominated [164]
Young Hollywood Awards 2012 Breakthrough Performance – Female Won [165]
2014 — Cuz You're Funny Nominated [166]

Bibliography

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Aubrey Plaza

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Aubrey Christina Plaza (born June 26, 1984) is an American actress, comedian, and producer recognized for her deadpan comedic style and versatile performances across television and film. Best known for her breakout role as the sardonic April Ludgate on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), Plaza has built a career blending humor with dramatic intensity, earning critical acclaim for projects like the HBO anthology series The White Lotus (2022), for which she received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Bernadette Plaza, an attorney of Irish and English descent, and David Plaza, a financial advisor of Puerto Rican heritage, Plaza grew up as the eldest of three sisters in a middle-class family. Her multicultural background, including Taíno Indigenous and Basque roots on her father's side, has influenced her identity, with Plaza once describing herself as "half Puerto Rican, half white" during her youth in a predominantly non-diverse high school. At age 20, while studying film at New York University, Plaza suffered an unexplained transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) that temporarily paralyzed the left side of her body and caused expressive aphasia, leaving her unable to speak for several minutes; she recovered fully but has since discussed the incident as a pivotal, perspective-shifting event in interviews. Plaza began her professional career in comedy, interning at Saturday Night Live and training in improv and sketch at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York starting in 2004, where she honed her signature deadpan persona. After small roles in films like Mystery Team (2009) and Funny People (2009), her portrayal of the brooding April Ludgate catapulted her to fame, establishing her as a go-to talent for quirky, understated characters. Subsequent highlights include her villainous turn as Julie Powers in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), the complex anti-heroine Ingrid in Ingrid Goes West (2017), and the titular role in the thriller Emily the Criminal (2022), which showcased her dramatic range and earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination. On television, she recurred as the wild-card Lenny Busker in FX's Legion (2017–2019) and garnered buzz for her role as the tense Harper Spiller in The White Lotus Season 2. In recent years, Plaza has expanded into producing and more auteur-driven projects, collaborating frequently with her husband, director Jeff Baena, on films like Life After Beth (2014), The Little Hours (2017), and Spin Me Round (2022); the couple married in 2021, and Baena died on January 3, 2025, at age 47. Her 2024 output included the coming-of-age comedy My Old Ass, which premiered at Sundance to strong reviews, and her portrayal of Rio Vidal in the Disney+ series Agatha All Along. Looking ahead as of November 2025, Plaza is set to star opposite Chris Evans in the comedy Honey Don't! (releasing August 2025) and as infamous Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss in the upcoming biopic The Heidi Fleiss Story, which she will also produce.

Early life and education

Early life

Aubrey Christina Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware, to Bernadette Plaza, an attorney of Irish and English descent, and David Plaza, a financial advisor of Puerto Rican descent. As the eldest of three sisters, she grew up alongside her younger siblings, Renee and Natalie, the latter of whom became a lawyer in New York City. The family maintained a lively household blending Irish Catholic and Puerto Rican influences, where Spanglish was commonly spoken, reflecting her father's heritage, though Plaza herself is not fluent in Spanish. Plaza has described her multicultural background as influential to her identity, once stating she felt "half Puerto Rican, half white" during her youth in a predominantly non-diverse high school. Plaza's childhood was marked by a tomboyish energy and a budding interest in performing arts, nurtured within a supportive family environment known for its sarcastic humor. She attended Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Wilmington, where she excelled academically—winning prizes in English, theology, and history—and actively participated in drama productions, improv skits, and school plays. Her involvement extended to local theater at the Wilmington Drama League, helping to develop her distinctive deadpan comedic style, which drew from the witty, ironic banter prevalent in her family dynamics.

Education

Plaza enrolled at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2002 following her high school graduation, supported by her family from Wilmington, Delaware, which enabled her relocation to New York City. There, she majored in film and television production, focusing on directing and writing while pursuing her longstanding interest in performance. Her academic training encompassed acting, improvisation, and sketch comedy techniques, including participation in student productions, such as interning at Saturday Night Live for college credit during the 2005–2006 season to document dress rehearsals. During her time at NYU, Plaza became deeply involved with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB), attending classes and performing in improv groups and sketch shows at night, which she described as more formative to her development than her formal studies. This hands-on experience at UCB honed her deadpan comedic timing and collaborative skills in an intensely competitive environment. In 2004, while a student at NYU, Plaza suffered a stroke at age 20 that resulted in temporary paralysis of the left side of her body and expressive aphasia, presenting significant challenges to her speech and mobility during her studies. She made a full recovery after several months and continued her education, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Career

2004–2009: Career beginnings

Following her graduation from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2006, where she honed her improv skills, Aubrey Plaza fully immersed herself in the New York comedy scene. She had begun training and performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre as early as 2004, and by 2006, she transitioned to full-time membership in the troupe, contributing to its vibrant ecosystem of shows and workshops. That same year, Plaza joined Bombardo, one of the first all-female improv groups in New York City's comedy landscape, alongside performers like Emily Askin, Chelsea Clarke, and Beth Newell; the group delivered "weird" and "psychedelic" long-form sets that showcased her emerging deadpan style. Regular performances at the UCB Theatre during this period allowed her to refine her comedic timing amid a community that included future stars like Amy Poehler, whom Plaza cited as an early inspiration. Plaza's initial on-screen appearances marked her shift from stage to television. Her first credited role came in 2006 as an NBC page guiding a studio tour in the 30 Rock episode "Tracy Does Conan," a meta nod to her real-life internship as a page at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where she often ad-libbed during tours to entertain groups. She followed this with a recurring role as Robyn, the sarcastic receptionist, in MTV's sketch comedy series Human Giant across its two seasons from 2007 to 2008, appearing in multiple episodes alongside creators Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer. Plaza also made frequent guest appearances as herself in the web series The Jeannie Tate Show from 2007 to 2008, featuring in six episodes that highlighted her dry wit in low-budget, absurd scenarios created by Maggie Carey. These early TV gigs, combined with stand-up sets at venues like the Laugh Factory, helped her build a portfolio of small but memorable comedic turns. In film, Plaza debuted in short projects like the 2006 thriller parody Killswitch, where she played a character with a massive head wound, and appeared in the romantic short In Love? the same year. Her feature film breakthrough arrived in 2009 with Mystery Team, a dark comedy from the Derrick Comedy group, in which she portrayed Kelly Peters, a role that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and showcased her ability to blend sarcasm with vulnerability. She also took on a supporting part as Daisy, a stand-up comic and love interest, in Judd Apatow's Funny People that year, marking her entry into major studio productions. As a newcomer, Plaza navigated significant challenges, including the risk of typecasting due to her signature deadpan persona, which often limited audition callbacks to similar "disgruntled" roles and required her to prove versatility amid fierce competition in the improv-heavy comedy world. Despite these hurdles, her persistent work in UCB ensembles and minor roles laid the groundwork for wider recognition, emphasizing conceptual humor over polished delivery.

2010–2016: Rise in film and television

Plaza's portrayal of April Ludgate on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015) marked her breakthrough in television, where she played the deadpan, sarcastic intern and later assistant to Leslie Knope in the Pawnee parks department. Her performance, characterized by a monotone delivery and subtle expressions of disdain, garnered critical acclaim and fan adoration, positioning her as a standout in the ensemble cast. The role drew Emmy buzz during the show's run, with Plaza earning two consecutive nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2012 and 2013. Transitioning to film, Plaza made her feature debut in a supporting role as Julie Powers, the acerbic ex-girlfriend of a bandmate, in Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), contributing to the film's cult following with her sharp, memorable one-liners. She followed with another supporting part as Depressed Debbie in Whit Stillman's comedy Damsels in Distress (2011), portraying a perpetually gloomy student amid the film's whimsical take on college life. Plaza's indie ascent peaked with her lead role as Darius, a disillusioned magazine intern who forms an unlikely bond in the time-travel dramedy Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), which premiered to strong reviews at Sundance and highlighted her ability to blend vulnerability with wit. In animation, Plaza lent her voice to Claire Wheeler, the stoic president of the Greek Council, in Pixar's Monsters University (2013), adding dry commentary to the prequel's collegiate antics. She continued exploring genre-bending roles in independent cinema, taking the lead as Beth, a recently deceased woman who returns as a zombie in the horror-comedy Life After Beth (2014), where her performance showcased a mix of tenderness and escalating chaos. That same year, Plaza appeared in Hal Hartley's Ned Rifle (2014) as Susan, a complex figure from the past in the director's trilogy finale, further demonstrating her range in arthouse settings. By the mid-2010s, Plaza had solidified her status as a rising indie darling, with media profiles praising her deadpan style and versatility across television and film. Her work during this period, building on improv foundations from the Upright Citizens Brigade, earned her increasing recognition as a comedic force capable of anchoring both ensemble pieces and lead roles.

2017–2025: Career expansion and recent developments

In 2017, Plaza took on the complex role of Lenny Busker in the FX series Legion, portraying a shape-shifting antagonist with psychological depth that marked a departure from her comedic roots and earned her nominations for an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Villain and an Imagen Award for Best Actress. The performance showcased her ability to blend menace with vulnerability across the show's three seasons, which concluded in 2019, and was praised for elevating the series' surreal narrative. That same year, Plaza starred as the lead in the dark comedy-thriller Ingrid Goes West, directed by Matt Spicer, where she played Ingrid Thorburn, an obsessive social media stalker relocating to Los Angeles. The film received an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics highlighting Plaza's nuanced portrayal of isolation and digital addiction as a standout. Building on this momentum, she continued securing lead roles in independent films, including the psychological drama Black Bear (2020), where she portrayed struggling filmmaker Allison, earning 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.5/4 from Roger Ebert for her intense, meta performance. Plaza also appeared in the Netflix holiday rom-com Happiest Season (2020) as Riley, the ex-girlfriend adding wit to the ensemble, and led the indie crime drama Emily the Criminal (2022) as Emily Benetto, a debt-ridden woman turning to fraud, which garnered 93% on Rotten Tomatoes for its taut storytelling and her gripping turn. In the latter, Plaza served as a producer, marking her growing involvement behind the camera on projects that explored moral ambiguity. Plaza expanded into blockbusters with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023), a Guy Ritchie spy action film where she played operative Sarah Fidel opposite Jason Statham, contributing sharp banter amid the ensemble. In 2024, she joined Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious epic Megalopolis as the scheming socialite Wow Platinum, delivering a scene-stealing performance in the divisive film that premiered at Cannes and received mixed reviews but praise for her glamorous villainy. Later that year, Plaza appeared in the coming-of-age comedy My Old Ass, directed by Megan Park, playing the older version of the protagonist in a hallucinatory role that debuted strongly at Sundance with a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and standing ovations for its nostalgic humor. On television, Plaza returned in the Disney+ Marvel series Agatha All Along (2024) as Rio Vidal, revealed to be the embodiment of Death, blending horror elements with her signature deadpan wit in a role that served as the season's antagonist and earned acclaim for its charismatic menace. She ventured into theater with the Off-Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (2023–2024) at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, starring as the damaged Roberta opposite Christopher Abbott; the production recouped its investment and earned her a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance. Other milestones included reuniting with Parks and Recreation co-star Nick Offerman in a Mountain Dew Baja Blast Super Bowl LVIII commercial (2024), a nostalgic spot celebrating the drink's 20th anniversary that featured their deadpan chemistry in fantastical scenarios. In February 2025, Plaza made a notable appearance at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, introducing performers Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard in her first public outing following personal challenges, underscoring her resilience amid career highs. In August 2025, Plaza starred opposite Chris Evans in the comedy Honey Don't!, which was released theatrically. Later that month, she was announced to star in and produce the biopic The Heidi Fleiss Story. She also provided voice work for the animated special Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party (2025).

Personal life

Relationships

Aubrey Plaza has publicly identified as bisexual. In a 2016 interview with The Advocate, she stated, "I fall in love with girls and guys. I can't help it," elaborating on her experiences with both men and women. Aubrey Plaza's first notable romantic relationship was with actor Michael Cera, whom she met while filming Scott Pilgrim vs. the World in 2009. The pair dated for approximately 18 months, during which they nearly eloped in Las Vegas following a cross-country road trip. Plaza began a long-term partnership with writer-director Jeff Baena in 2011 after connecting through the improv and comedy scene in Los Angeles. They dated for a decade before quietly marrying in 2021, with Plaza confirming the union in an Instagram post referring to him as her husband. Their relationship often intertwined with professional collaborations, such as Plaza starring in Baena's films Life After Beth (2014) and The Little Hours (2017), which she has credited with shaping her approach to deadpan and surreal roles. The couple separated in September 2024, amid reports of growing apart due to diverging career paths, with Plaza relocating to New York for work while Baena remained in Los Angeles. Baena died by suicide on January 3, 2025, at age 47, in his Los Angeles home; he was discovered by a dog walker hours after sending Plaza a final text message. In her first public discussion of the loss, Plaza appeared on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast in August 2025, describing grief as a "giant ocean of awfulness" that is "always there" but emphasizing the need to "move forward," drawing on advice from her late grandmother to find purpose amid pain. Plaza and Baena had no children together, a choice she has reflected on in interviews as aligning with her prioritization of privacy in personal matters. She has noted that maintaining discretion in relationships allowed their bond to thrive away from public scrutiny, even as it informed her on-screen vulnerability. As of November 2025, Plaza remains single, channeling her healing into creative projects and selective public engagements.

Health

In 2004, at the age of 20 while attending New York University, Aubrey Plaza suffered a transient ischemic attack, commonly known as a mini-stroke, which caused temporary expressive aphasia—rendering her unable to speak or form words—and brief left-sided facial paralysis and loss of motor skills. The episode, which occurred suddenly at a friend's home, lasted only a short time but profoundly affected her, as paramedics initially dismissed it due to her young age, suspecting dehydration or substance use instead. Plaza underwent several months of speech therapy, cognitive therapy, and physical rehabilitation following the incident, achieving a full recovery that allowed her to resume her studies at NYU, though the affected area in her brain remains permanently altered. The experience heightened her awareness of health vulnerabilities and shifted her perspective on life, fostering a greater appreciation for resilience amid transient risks. In the years since, Plaza has publicly discussed ongoing mental health challenges, including anxiety that emerged post-stroke and a period of grief-related depression following the loss of her husband in 2025. She has described coping through regular therapy sessions and exercise routines, emphasizing these as essential tools for managing daily emotional struggles like persistent sadness and sleep disturbances. More recently, in July 2024, Plaza tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a casual game of basketball knockout at the Phoenix Mercury's practice facility ahead of the WNBA All-Star weekend. The injury necessitated surgery, including a cadaver ligament replacement, and a course of rehabilitation that temporarily disrupted her professional commitments. Through her candid interviews, Plaza has advocated for greater awareness of strokes among young adults, highlighting how such events can occur unexpectedly and urging prompt medical attention to avoid dismissal based on age. She has also shared her ACL experience to destigmatize sports-related injuries in performers, promoting open conversations about recovery and vulnerability in high-physical-demand careers.

Artistry

Influences and style

Aubrey Plaza's signature comedic style is characterized by a deadpan, monotone delivery that evokes the stoic physical comedy of silent film pioneer Buster Keaton, whose unchanging facial expressions amid chaos have been a foundational influence on her understated approach. This technique allows her to convey humor through subtle irony and minimalism, often subverting expectations in high-energy scenarios. Her modern influences include comedians like Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig, whose sharp, character-driven sketches on Saturday Night Live—a show Plaza credits with sparking her obsession with comedy—inform her blend of wit and emotional layering. Plaza's improv training at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre in New York profoundly shaped her spontaneous and understated humor, emphasizing quick-thinking collaboration that blends sarcasm with vulnerability to create relatable, offbeat characters. She has described this period as "the best time of my life," where the ensemble environment honed her ability to deliver punchlines through deadpan timing rather than overt performance, allowing vulnerability to emerge organically amid sarcastic barbs. As her career evolved, Plaza transitioned from primarily comedic roles to more dramatic ones, exemplified by her portrayal of the complex Lenny Busker in the FX series Legion, where she embraced psychological depth and menace. She credits her improv background and preparation for Legion for enabling this shift to more dramatic roles, allowing her to explore psychological depth. Collaborations with director Jeff Baena, her late husband, further deepened this evolution; his guidance in films like Ingrid Goes West encouraged her to explore nuanced vulnerability, transforming her deadpan restraint into a tool for dramatic intensity. Plaza's thematic interests often center on critiques of social media's isolating effects, as seen in Ingrid Goes West, where her character obsessively curates an online facade, reflecting broader anxieties about authenticity in the digital age. In Black Bear, she delves into themes of identity and loss through a meta narrative of artistic breakdown, portraying a filmmaker grappling with ego and regret. These choices are informed by her personal experiences, including a stroke at age 20 that left her temporarily unable to speak and heightened her awareness of vulnerability and mental health struggles. She has noted that such events fuel her interest in roles examining "how valuable your suffering can be" in the pursuit of art. Off-screen, Plaza's public persona reinforces her "weird girl" archetype through self-deprecating interviews and deliberately awkward red carpet appearances, where she often embraces discomfort to highlight irony and authenticity. She has described herself as a "poster child for irony," using these moments to blend humor with genuine unease, mirroring the vulnerability in her performances. This approach not only endears her to audiences but also underscores her commitment to subverting polished celebrity expectations.

Legacy

Aubrey Plaza has emerged as a pioneering figure for Latinx actresses in comedy, drawing on her half-Puerto Rican heritage to portray complex, deadpan characters that subvert longstanding stereotypes of effusive or hyper-emotional Latinas. Through roles like April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation, she challenged expectations by embodying a stoic, sarcastic persona that resonated with underrepresented audiences, normalizing subdued expressions within Latinx narratives and paving the way for more diverse portrayals. Her advocacy, including public calls for greater Latinx visibility at events like the 2018 NHMC Impact Awards, has highlighted systemic underrepresentation, such as the absence of Latina Best Actress Oscar winners, further amplifying her role in cultural shifts toward multifaceted Latinx representation in film and television. Plaza's signature deadpan style has profoundly influenced the archetype of the "awkward" female lead in indie cinema, establishing her as the "queen of awkward and macabre comedy" and inspiring emerging performers who adopt similar ironic, off-kilter humor. Her portrayals in films like Ingrid Goes West and Safety Not Guaranteed have become touchstones for a generation of actors, with comparisons drawn to how she embodied millennial comedy's cheeky detachment, much like Ayo Edebiri's wholesome yet subversive take on Gen Z humor in projects such as The Bear. This influence extends to broader deadpan Latinas in media, where Plaza's moody, dry-wit delivery—exemplified in Parks and Recreation episodes like "Sister City"—has modeled authenticity for talents like Jenna Ortega, fostering dimensionality in Latina characters beyond traditional vibrancy. Key cultural milestones underscore Plaza's enduring comedic legacy, including the viral phenomenon of her Parks and Recreation character April Ludgate, whose savage one-liners and apathetic demeanor have spawned countless memes, compilations with millions of views, and fan tributes that highlight her as a defining voice in ensemble comedy. Her 2024–2025 projects, such as starring as the older version of the protagonist in the female-led coming-of-age film My Old Ass and starring in the Marvel series Agatha All Along as Rio Vidal, have bolstered the momentum of women-driven genre storytelling, while her upcoming biopic The Heidi Fleiss Story—which she is producing—continues this trend in dramatic indie fare. Her role in Agatha All Along earned her the 2025 Gold Derby TV Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy. Following her 2025 disclosures about navigating profound grief after her husband Jeff Baena's death, Plaza has advocated for mental health awareness in Hollywood through candid interviews, emphasizing the "daily struggle" of recovery and destigmatizing vulnerability in the industry. By 2025, Plaza stands as a versatile icon spanning television, film, and literature, with her authorship of children's books like the The Legend of the Christmas Witch series showcasing her creative range and resilience in shaping narratives around loss and personal growth. Her trajectory reflects a broader impact on comedy's evolution, prioritizing authentic, boundary-pushing roles that bridge genres and inspire ongoing discussions of representation and emotional depth in entertainment.

Professional credits and honors

Acting credits

Aubrey Plaza has appeared in numerous films, television series, and theater productions throughout her career, often in both leading and supporting roles, with select projects where she also served as producer. Her credits are organized by medium below for clarity, presented chronologically within each category.

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Mystery TeamKellySupporting
2009Funny PeopleDaisySupporting
2010Scott Pilgrim vs. the WorldJulie PowersSupporting
201110 YearsOliviaSupporting
2011A Very Harold & Kumar 3D ChristmasStephanie WyseSupporting
2011Damsels in DistressDepressed DebbieSupporting
2012Safety Not GuaranteedDarius BrittLead
2012The To Do ListBrandy KlarkLead
2013Grudge MatchMollySupporting
2014Life After BethBeth SlocumLead
2014Ned RifleSusanSupporting
2014Playing It CoolMallorySupporting
2014The Driftless AreaStella ConnellyLead
2015Addicted to FresnoKellyLead
2015Mike and Dave Need Wedding DatesTatianaSupporting
2016Dirty GrandpaLenoreSupporting
2016JoshyJodiSupporting
2016MascotsMindy MurraySupporting
2016The Late BloomerMichelleSupporting
2017The Little HoursSister FernandaSupporting, producer
2017Ingrid Goes WestIngrid ThorburnLead, producer
2018An Evening with Beverly Luff LinnLulu DangerLead
2019Child's PlayKaren BarclayLead
2020Black BearAllisonLead
2020Happiest SeasonRiley JohnsonSupporting
2021Spin Me RoundAmberSupporting
2022Emily the CriminalEmily BenettoLead, producer
2022Operation Fortune: Ruse de GuerreSarah FidelSupporting
2023Flamin' HotJudy MontañezSupporting
2024MegalopolisVeronicaSupporting
2024My Old AssElliottLead

Television

Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
2008–2016Childrens HospitalGraceMain, 66 episodes
2009–2015Parks and RecreationApril LudgateMain, 125 episodes
2012NTSF:SUV::Agent Piper FergusonRecurring, 2 episodes
2013The Legend of KorraEska (voice)Recurring, 5 episodes
2016EasyLindsayGuest, 1 episode
2017–2019LegionLenny BuskerMain, 27 episodes
2022The White Lotus (Season 2)Harper SpillerGuest, 6 episodes
2022–2023Little DemonBeatrice (voice)Main, 20 episodes, producer
2024Agatha All AlongRio Vidal / DeathSupporting, 9 episodes

Voice Work in Film and Other Media

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013From Up on Poppy HillSachikoSupporting
2013Monsters UniversityClaire WheelerSupporting
2016NerdlandSallySupporting
2021King KnightPine ConeSupporting

Theater

Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
2005Rebel Without a CauseJudy BrownSupporting, Off-Broadway, American Theatre of Actors
2023–2024Danny and the Deep Blue SeaRobertaLead, Lucille Lortel Theatre
2025Let's Love!Unspecified lead roleLead, Off-Broadway, Linda Gross Theater (September 25–November 22)
As of November 2025, Plaza has several announced upcoming projects, including the lead role and producing duties in the biopic The Heidi Fleiss Story, her first real-life biopic portrayal. She is also attached to star in Ethan Coen's Go Beavers!, a dark comedy. Additionally, animation projects such as The Ark and the Aardvark and Animal Friends are in development with her involvement.

Awards and nominations

Aubrey Plaza has received 13 awards and 53 nominations for her performances in television and film as of November 2025. Her early recognition came from comedic roles, including multiple nominations for her portrayal of April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation. She earned an ALMA Award nomination in 2011 for Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role and another in 2012 for Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a Comedy. Later breakthrough work in independent films led to festival honors, such as the Young Hollywood Award for Breakthrough Performance of the Year in 2012 for Safety Not Guaranteed. The film premiered at SXSW, where it received praise for her deadpan delivery, contributing to its overall festival buzz. Plaza's transition to more dramatic roles brought major awards attention. For Legion (2018), she received a Saturn Award nomination in the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for Best Supporting Actress on Television, recognizing her portrayal of Lenny Busker. She also earned an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for Best Villain that year. In 2017, her lead performance in Ingrid Goes West resulted in a Critics' Choice Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy, highlighting her satirical take on social media obsession. More recent accolades include an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in 2023 for Emily the Criminal, where she played a debt-ridden woman turning to crime. For The White Lotus (2023), Plaza was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film; the cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. In theater, she received a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance in 2024 for Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. Entering 2025, Plaza earned Vancouver Film Critics Circle nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Canadian Film for My Old Ass, along with additional nods from the Saturn Awards for Best Guest Star in a Television Series (Agatha All Along) and the Gold Derby TV Awards, where she won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy.
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2011ALMA AwardsFavorite TV Actress – Supporting RoleParks and RecreationNominated
2012ALMA AwardsFavorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a ComedyParks and RecreationNominated
2012Online Film & Television Association AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesParks and RecreationNominated (2010–2013)
2012Young Hollywood AwardsBreakthrough Performance of the YearSafety Not GuaranteedWon
2017Critics' Choice AwardsBest Actress in a ComedyIngrid Goes WestNominated
2018Saturn AwardsBest Supporting Actress on TelevisionLegionNominated
2018MTV Movie & TV AwardsBest VillainLegionNominated
2023Independent Spirit AwardsBest Lead PerformanceEmily the CriminalNominated
2023Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesThe White LotusNominated
2023Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television FilmThe White LotusNominated
2023Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesThe White LotusWon
2024Drama League AwardsDistinguished Performance AwardDanny and the Deep Blue SeaNominated
2025Vancouver Film Critics Circle AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Canadian FilmMy Old AssNominated
2025Saturn AwardsBest Guest Star in a Television SeriesAgatha All AlongNominated
2025Gold Derby TV AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a ComedyAgatha All AlongWon

Bibliography

Aubrey Plaza has co-authored three children's books with her longtime creative partner Dan Murphy, focusing on whimsical tales of magic, witches, and holiday folklore. These works extend her creative output into literature, drawing from personal and cultural inspirations. The Legend of the Christmas Witch, published on November 16, 2021, by Viking Books for Young Readers, is an illustrated picture book that reimagines the origins of Santa Claus's twin sister, Kristtörn, who becomes the misunderstood Christmas Witch after being separated from her brother and raised by woodland creatures. Co-written with Dan Murphy and illustrated by Julia Iredale, the story explores themes of isolation, self-discovery, and familial bonds through a fairy-tale lens, blending eerie folklore with heartwarming resolution. The sequel, The Return of the Christmas Witch, released on October 11, 2022, by the same publisher, continues the narrative centuries later as Kristtörn awakens from an icy slumber to confront a commercialized, dystopian version of Christmas dominated by the Kringle Corporation. Illustrated again by Julia Iredale, it maintains the magical elements while introducing satirical commentary on modern holiday consumerism, emphasizing themes of revenge, restoration, and empowerment. Plaza and Murphy's most recent collaboration, Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party, a 40-page picture book published on July 29, 2025, by Viking Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Penguin Random House), follows young Luna Lopez, a aspiring bruja inspired by her Puerto Rican heritage, as she assists the eccentric elderly witch Pheenie in organizing a chaotic yet enchanting Halloween bash. Illustrated by Hannah Peck, the book incorporates Plaza's Delaware roots and family influences, such as lessons from her abuela on resilience and joy amid challenges, to highlight themes of mentorship, cultural identity, and festive mischief. It achieved national bestseller status upon release. The writing process for these books evolved from Plaza and Murphy's 20-year friendship, which began in high school theater and deepened through collaborative film projects at NYU, allowing them to develop an intuitive creative synergy rooted in shared humor and improvisation techniques from their early performance backgrounds. Personal themes, including navigating loss and embracing heritage, subtly inform the narratives, particularly in the lighter, more accessible tone of the Halloween-themed entry aimed at younger readers.

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  73. https://people.com/aubrey-plaza-opens-up-to-amy-poehler-about-grief-following-husband-jeff-baena-death-11793319
  74. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/aubrey-plaza-grief-jeff-baena-death-1236492743/
  75. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/aubrey-plaza-speaks-husband-jeff-233634012.html
  76. https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2016/08/04/Aubrey-Plaza-Stroke-at-20-changed-my-approach-to-life/2361470334925/
  77. https://www.mamamia.com.au/aubrey-plaza-stroke/
  78. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/aubrey-plaza-stroke-at-age-20_n_66e3524ee4b02a333c0b6eec
  79. https://www.nme.com/news/tv/aubrey-plaza-opens-up-about-how-she-once-suffered-a-stroke-3793261
  80. https://blog.uvahealth.com/2022/05/10/strokes-in-young-people-dont-brush-off-signs/
  81. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/aubrey-plaza-cover-story-awards-insider
  82. https://www.nickiswift.com/1754994/tragic-truth-aubrey-plaza-life/
  83. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/aubrey-plaza-opens-up-about-dealing-with-grief-post-husband-jeff-baenas-death-by-suicide-its-a-daily-struggle/articleshow/123396672.cms
  84. https://www.aol.com/news/aubrey-plaza-heartbreaking-grief-analogy-021727339.html
  85. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/aubrey-plaza-tears-acl-playing-basketball-wnba-star-weekend-rcna163007
  86. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/aubrey-plaza-acl-tear-wnba-all-star-weekend-1235064621/
  87. https://people.com/aubrey-plaza-busted-knee-torn-acl-wnba-all-star-weekend-8681370
  88. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/seth-meyers-gives-aubrey-plaza-143225582.html
  89. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aubrey-plaza-tore-acl-wnba-all-star-game/
  90. https://keyframe.fandor.com/why-we-need-deadpan-and-aubrey-plaza-in-2018/
  91. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/dec/14/aubrey-plaza-parks-and-recreation-comedy
  92. https://www.thelist.com/647600/how-aubrey-plaza-started-her-improv-career/
  93. https://www.nme.com/features/film-interviews/aubrey-plaza-interview-black-bear-parks-and-recreation-2924296
  94. https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a20978899/aubrey-plaza-legion-interview/
  95. https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/52584/1/actor-aubrey-plaza-on-acting-in-a-psychosexual-thriller-about-acting-black-bear
  96. https://latinamedia.co/aubrey-plaza/
  97. https://variety.com/2018/film/news/nhmc-impact-awards-latino-1202709880/
  98. https://www.imaginethiswomensfilmfestival.org/post/aubrey-plaza-the-queen-of-awkward-and-macabre-comedy
  99. https://decider.com/2023/06/21/ayo-edebiri-gen-z-icon/
  100. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/newsletter/2023-03-02/in-praise-of-jenna-ortega-aubrey-plaza-and-moody-deadpan-latinas-latinx-files
  101. https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/april-ludgate-parks-and-recreation
  102. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18559464/
  103. https://www.goldderby.com/awards/2025-gold-derby-tv-awards-winners/
  104. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article311759623.html
  105. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2059965/aubrey-plaza/
  106. https://thewhitelotus.fandom.com/wiki/Aubrey_Plaza
  107. https://atlantictheater.org/production/lets-love/
  108. https://www.delawareonline.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/10/17/aubrey-plaza-to-star-in-go-beavers-lesbian-ethan-coen-film/86749295007/
  109. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266020/awards/
  110. https://www.cinemablend.com/new/SXSW-Aubrey-Plaza-Mark-Duplass-Why-Safety-Guaranteed-Isn-t-Really-Time-Travel-Movie-29939.html
  111. https://envelope.latimes.com/awards/people/aubrey-plaza/
  112. https://lowsparkfilms.com/emily-the-criminal-lands-4-spirit-award-nominations/
  113. https://goldenglobes.com/person/aubrey-plaza/
  114. https://www.nhmc.org/va_members/aubrey-plaza/
  115. https://dramaleague.org/2024-awards/
  116. https://vancouverfilmcritics.com/2025/01/21/can-i-get-a-witness-and-my-old-ass-commanded-the-most-nominations-for-best-in-canadian-film-from-vancouver-critics/
  117. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/aubrey-plaza/bio/3000340282/
  118. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669788/the-legend-of-the-christmas-witch-by-aubrey-plaza-and-dan-murphy-illustrated-by-julia-iredale/
  119. https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Christmas-Witch-Dan-Murphy/dp/0593350804
  120. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669789/the-return-of-the-christmas-witch-by-aubrey-plaza-and-dan-murphy-illustrated-by-julia-iredale/
  121. https://www.amazon.com/Return-Christmas-Witch-Aubrey-Plaza/dp/0593350839
  122. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753795/luna-and-the-witch-throw-a-halloween-party-by-aubrey-plaza-and-dan-murphy-illustrated-by-hannah-peck/
  123. https://www.amazon.com/Luna-Witch-Throw-Halloween-Party/dp/0593693019
  124. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/luna-and-the-witch-throw-a-halloween-party-aubrey-plaza/1147168682
  125. https://www.today.com/popculture/books/aubrey-plaza-dan-murphy-books-friendship-rcna236454
  126. https://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/2025/07/28/audrey-plaza-luna-and-the-witch-throw-a-halloween-party/85356154007/
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