The question of "who has Aubrey Plaza dated?" has taken on a profoundly sensitive and tragic new context in late 2025. The actress, famous for her deadpan humor and iconic roles like April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation and Harper Spiller in The White Lotus, has always been fiercely private about her personal life. However, the unexpected and heartbreaking news surrounding her late husband, director Jeff Baena, has brought her long-term relationship into the public eye, revealing a deep and enduring partnership that lasted over a decade. This article explores her complete romantic timeline, focusing on the fresh and unique details of her life as of December 2025.
Aubrey Plaza’s relationship history is surprisingly short for a Hollywood star, defined by one major, private, and collaborative partnership that ended in tragedy. While many fans were aware of her long-term boyfriend, the news of her marriage and subsequent loss has shifted the narrative from a simple dating timeline to a profound story of love, creative collaboration, and immense grief. Below is a complete profile and a deep dive into the two major relationships that have defined her life.
Aubrey Christina Plaza: Complete Biography and Profile
Before diving into her dating history, understanding Aubrey Plaza’s background and career trajectory is essential to appreciating her intensely private nature. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, her unique blend of heritage and deadpan delivery has made her one of the most recognizable and acclaimed actresses of her generation.
- Full Name: Aubrey Christina Plaza
- Date of Birth: June 26, 1984
- Age: 41 (as of December 2025)
- Place of Birth: Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
- Education: New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts (Graduated 2005)
- Ethnicity: Her father is Puerto Rican, and her mother is of English and Irish descent.
- Career Start: Began her career performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.
- Breakout Role: April Ludgate in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015).
- Acclaimed Roles: Harper Spiller in The White Lotus Season 2, Darius Britt in Safety Not Guaranteed, and the title role in Emily the Criminal.
- Current Status: Currently single, following the tragic death of her husband, Jeff Baena.
The 13-Year Partnership: Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena
The relationship between Aubrey Plaza and writer/director Jeff Baena was the defining partnership of her adult life, lasting 13 years and spanning both their personal and professional worlds. Their story is a testament to shared creative vision and deep commitment, kept largely out of the public eye until its tragic conclusion.
A Private Beginning and Decade of Collaboration
Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011. Their relationship was characterized by an intense level of privacy; they rarely attended public events together and spoke little about their personal lives in interviews. However, their professional lives were deeply intertwined. Jeff Baena directed Aubrey Plaza in several of his independent films, creating a creative partnership that yielded some of her most memorable performances.
- Dating Started: 2011
- Marriage Confirmed: May 2021
- Key Collaborations: Life After Beth (2014), Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017), and Spin Me Round (2022).
Plaza once described their early relationship, saying, "I was like, we're either going to break up or stay together forever." They chose the latter, but the public only learned of their marital status in 2021 when Plaza casually referred to Baena as her "darling husband" in an Instagram post.
The Tragic News of 2025
The couple's long and private journey came to a devastating end in early 2025. Director Jeff Baena tragically died by suicide on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the age of 47. Reports indicated that the couple had been separated since September 2024, though the immense grief following his passing was evident.
Plaza released a statement following the news, expressing her profound sorrow and the daily struggle of her grief. The loss sent shockwaves through the independent film community, highlighting the depth of their long-standing relationship and collaborative spirit. This event marks the most current and significant update to Aubrey Plaza’s personal life, confirming her current status as a widow navigating a period of intense mourning.
The Unexpected Pre-Fame Romance: Michael Cera
Before her long-term commitment to Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza had one other notable, albeit brief, relationship with a fellow actor that has captured the curiosity of fans for years: Michael Cera.
A 'Scott Pilgrim' Secret
Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera met while filming the 2010 cult-classic movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. The two actors, known for their unique and quirky screen personas, had a brief romantic relationship that was kept quiet from the public during its time.
- Partner: Michael Cera
- Relationship Duration: Brief, around the time of filming Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010).
- The Near-Marriage: In a surprising revelation, Plaza later disclosed that during their time together, they almost got married. She revealed that they took a road trip across the country and were close to tying the knot in Las Vegas.
This short-lived romance remains a fascinating footnote in her dating history, showcasing a different, more spontaneous side of the actress before she settled into her long-term, committed partnership with Jeff Baena. Michael Cera has since moved on and is also married with a child, but the story of their almost-Vegas-wedding continues to fuel fan speculation about what "could have been" between the two indie darlings.
Aubrey Plaza’s Private Life and Enduring Legacy
Aubrey Plaza has consistently prioritized her privacy, viewing her personal life as separate from her public persona. This commitment to discretion is a defining element of her public image, which is often characterized by her wry, enigmatic, and sometimes intimidating on-screen presence. This protective barrier has only made the recent news surrounding her late husband more impactful, as it pulled back the curtain on a deeply personal loss.
Her career continues to thrive, even as she navigates her grief. Following her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for The White Lotus, Plaza has cemented her status as a serious dramatic actress capable of much more than just comedy. Her upcoming projects, including collaborations with major studios and continued work in the independent film space, demonstrate her resilience and commitment to her craft.
The entities and keywords that define her current professional and personal landscape include her iconic character April Ludgate, the acclaimed HBO series The White Lotus Season 2, her early work in improv comedy, the indie film genre, and her collaborations on films like Black Bear and Ingrid Goes West. Her relationship with the late Jeff Baena, their shared home in Los Angeles, and the memory of their 13-year love story are now irrevocably part of her biography, defining the current chapter of her life.
In summary, Aubrey Plaza’s romantic life has been marked by a brief, quirky fling with Michael Cera and a profound, decade-plus commitment to her late husband, Jeff Baena. As she moves forward, the focus remains on her powerful performances and the quiet strength she exhibits while navigating a very public tragedy.
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