Aubrey Plaza Reveals Poignant Childhood Lesson That Helps Her To Overcome Struggles—Months After Husband Jeff Baena’s Death

Comedian Aubrey Plaza has revealed the powerful childhood lesson that helps her to move past hardships—as she continues to deal with the "giant ocean" of grief over the death of her husband, Jeff Baena.

Plaza, 41, has kept a relatively low profile since her husband died by suicide at the age of 47 inside their Los Angeles-area home on Jan. 3. However, she has continued to honor her work commitments, promoting her movie "Honey Don't!" and now appearing on the "Today" show to discuss her children's book, "Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party."

Speaking about her seasonal tome, Plaza revealed how her main character, a "kooky witch," was inspired by her own grandmother, who passed down some wise words that the actress says still guide her to this day, particularly in difficult times.

"She taught me from a very young age that life is a party, and [that] no matter what happens, we have to have fun and move forward," she told "Today" host Savannah Guthrie.

While Plaza was not asked about her husband's passing, that childhood lesson has no doubt been invaluable to her in recent months, which she previously admitted had been a roller coaster of emotion.

While appearing on close friend Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast, Plaza broke her silence about Baena's death, admitting that her grief felt like a "giant ocean of awfulness."

The actress explained that, while she was doing her best to cope with each day as it came, processing the loss of her husband was a "daily struggle."

"Overall, I'm here and I'm functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I'm OK, but it's like a daily struggle, obviously," she admitted.

The former "Parks and Recreation" star first started dating Baena in 2011 and revealed in May 2021 that they had secretly wed after referring to him as her "darling husband" in an Instagram post.

Plaza and Baena—a writer and director—purchased a home together in October 2022, paying $4.7 million for the Los Feliz property.

Records show that the property was purchased through a trust managed by an accounting firm located in the same office as Plaza's production company, Evil Hag Productions.

That same property was put on the market last month for $6.5 million.

The Mediterranean-style dwelling, which features four bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, was built in 1928 and appears to have been purchased off market, according to Realtor.com® data.

Before it was purchased by the couple in 2022, the home last changed hands in 2017 for $3.6 million.

In its new listing, the Spanish-style home is described as being "tucked away on a private street" in the "coveted" neighborhood of Los Feliz Oaks.

"Meticulously restored and tastefully updated, the home honors its architectural heritage while offering modern amenities including a screening room, wine cellar, pool, oversized steam room, and a state-of-the-art sound system," the description continues.

"This is more than a home. ... It's a private sanctuary, brought back to life with care, style, and enduring character. A rare opportunity for those seeking space, seclusion, and authentic Spanish charm."

Listing images reveal a tasteful interior, with a neutral, elegant palette used throughout the home, which is filled with natural light.

The bright and airy kitchen features large glass doors to the backyard, helping to create a seamless flow between the two spaces.

However, there are several pops of color throughout the abode, including a large pink couch in one of the living areas, as well as funky yellow-and-green tile in a bathroom.

Pink appears to have been a favorite hue for Plaza, with the primary bathroom painted in a very pale rose and featuring fun lighting fixtures in a similar color.

The home also offers many amenities outside of the main residence, including multiple outdoor living spaces "designed for dining, lounging, and entertaining," as well as a stunning swimming pool that is nestled on a grassy lawn, with a canopy of trees providing natural shade for the hottest of days.

In one of the living spaces, an artistic arched window helps to emphasize the beauty of the home's surroundings, providing a picturesque view of the property's gardens—serving almost as a natural art piece in the space, which also boasts a cozy fireplace.

Arches run throughout the dwelling, from the curved front door to the doorways that lead from one room into the next in many of the main living areas.

Plaza's decision to put the property on the market comes just days after she completed a brief publicity tour for her new movie, "Honey Don't!" Co-stars include Margaret Qualley and Chris Evans.

As part of her media commitment for the project, the comedian attended several red carpet events, while also sitting down with Poehler to discuss the film—but not before speaking out about her husband's death.

Attempting to explain her grieving process, Plaza referenced the 2025 movie "The Gorge," starring Miles Teller and Anya-Taylor Joy, which features a remote crevasse filled with monsters—with guard posts stationed on either side to protect their respective territories from the horrors within.

Plaza admitted that while it might seem like a strange analogy, the setup of the sci-fi thriller felt much like her grief.

"This is a really dumb analogy, and it was kind of a joke at a certain point, but I actually mean it. Did you see that movie 'The Gorge'?" Plaza asked. "It's like [an] alien movie or something with Miles Teller.

"In the movie, there's like a cliff on one side and there's a cliff on the other side, then there's a gorge in between and it's filled with all these, like, monster people that are trying to get them. I swear, when I watched it, I was like 'That feels like what my grief is like … or what grief could be like.'"

The actress explained that, no matter how she is feeling in a specific moment, her grief is always lingering—regardless of whether she wants to fully lean in to it, or escape it altogether.

"At all times, there's like a giant ocean of awfulness, that's like right there and I can see it," she said.

"Sometimes I just want to dive into it and just, like, be in it. Then sometimes I just look at it, and sometimes I try to get away from it. But it's always there."