Aubrey Plaza Praised For First Appearance Over A Month After Her Husband's Death

Aubrey Plaza is getting her flowers for her first public appearance since the death of her husband, Jeff Baena, last month.  

The actress, who has been grieving the devastating loss, reportedly expressed gratitude for her fans' support. Fans were particularly ecstatic about her finding the courage to grace the "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special.

Aubrey Plaza's appearance comes after the tragic passing of Jeff Baena on Friday, 3 January 2025, which was ruled a suicide.

This weekend, Plaza made her first public appearance since the devastating loss of her husband, introducing Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard's performance on the "Saturday Night Live" 50th anniversary special.

The 40-year-old's appearance was a surprise for many, and a short clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) by @CinemaBurst quickly garnered an outpouring of praise from fans.

The reaction to Plaza's presence was overwhelmingly positive. "Aubrey Plaza's surprise appearance was the emotional lift we all needed! Welcome back, Aubrey!" one fan exclaimed.  Another echoed this sentiment, writing, "Aubrey's return was such a pleasant surprise; we missed her energy."  

Many acknowledged the courage it must have taken for Plaza to appear on such a significant show so soon after her loss. "I'm so glad she was brave enough to come out for this, especially with how meaningful this show is to her," one person commented.

Another noted the uplifting nature of Plaza's appearance, stating, "Aubrey Plaza's surprise appearance was the perfect pick-me-up after such a tragedy. So glad to see her back and shining with Miley and Brittany at SNL50!"  

Adding a layer of emotions, one observant fan pointed out that Plaza was "wearing the tie-dye shirt she made with her husband." 

Before her recent re-emergence, The Blast reported that shortly after Baena's passing, a representative for Plaza released a statement on her behalf. 

The message described the loss as "an unimaginable tragedy" and expressed gratitude for the kindness shown to Plaza during this difficult time.The statement further read:

"This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."

Plaza and Baena were not only partners in life but also creative collaborators, having worked together on several films, including "The Little Hours," "Life After Beth," and "Spin Me Round."

The passing of the film director left a void in the entertainment industry, as colleagues shared heartfelt tributes to him, celebrating his significant contributions.  

Kicking things off was Actress Molly Shannon, who conveyed her sadness by sharing photos of cherished moments with Baena, accompanied by a heartbreak emoji.  

Director Chad Hartigan, a friend and fellow filmmaker, penned a moving tribute to Baena. "Jeff Baena forever," Hartigan wrote before adding, "The nucleus to so many great hangs I've had and an entire world of great people I've met. He was loved by countless people, including me."

The news of Baena's passing prompted an outpouring of grief, with fans expressing their shock and offering support to his wife, Plaza, and his loved ones. The Blast reported that law enforcement responded to a death investigation call after Baena was found unresponsive by an assistant.

The confirmation of his death ruled a suicide, triggered a wave of reactions from fans. Many immediately expressed their concern for Plaza, like this person, who wrote, "Oh god, I hope she's ok."  

A second commented, "What horrific news. Prayers with Aubrey Plaza, and all those who knew and loved Baena." The sudden loss of Baena at a young age was part of the online reactions. "Wow. Very young. Prayers up," one person remarked.

Other messages like "Awful. Sending my condolences" and "Prayers to her and his family" echoed the collective sense of loss.

The professional collaboration between the duo blossomed into a lasting romance. Their story began in 2014 when Baena made his directorial debut with the horror-comedy "Life After Beth," starring Plaza, John C. Reilly, and Molly Shannon.  

This film launched Baena's directing career and sparked a connection with Plaza that extended beyond the set. Their creative partnership evolved into a personal one, and in 2021, Plaza surprised fans by revealing on Instagram that she and Baena had secretly married after nearly ten years of dating.

Though generally private about their relationship, Plaza occasionally shared glimpses into her life with Baena in interviews. An example is when promoting "The White Lotus," Plaza reflected on her own long-term partnership.  

"I've been with my husband for 12 years. I relate to being in a relationship that has peaks and valleys, and going through a rough patch and comparing yourself to another couple that seems perfect," she shared.

Aubrey Plaza's return to the public eye after losing her husband, Jeff Baena, demonstrates her refusal to shut the world out entirely in the face of tragedy.