Aubrey Plaza Honors Late Husband Jeff Baena in First Public Appearance at SNL’s 50th Anniversary

Hollywood actress Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance since the tragic passing of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.

The event, held on February 16, saw Plaza introducing musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard.

Though Plaza did not walk the red carpet, her presence on stage was significant, as it marked her return to the public eye following Baena’s passing.

A Heartfelt Tribute Through Fashion

For the occasion, Plaza chose to wear a black blazer and dress pants, paired with a tie-dye shirt. Fans quickly recognized the significance of the tie-dye element, linking it to a cherished memory between her and Baena.

During a 2021 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Plaza revealed that she and Baena wore tie-dye pajamas that he had made for their wedding.

She had shared, “We got married on a whim, literally decided at like 5 p.m. and got married at like, 8:30. Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine, so I decided that Jeff and I were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that he had made for us.”

Her choice of attire for the SNL special appeared to be a subtle yet touching tribute to their relationship and the memories they shared.

Jeff Baena’s Tragic Passing

Jeff Baena, a writer and director, passed away by suicide at the age of 47 on January 3, 2025. His death was confirmed in a statement by Plaza and his family, calling it “an unimaginable tragedy.” The family requested privacy during this difficult time.

Following his passing, Plaza deleted her Instagram account, with her page displaying the message: “Sorry, this page isn’t available.”

Plaza’s Absence at the Golden Globes

Plaza was originally scheduled to present an award at the 2025 Golden Globes on January 5 but understandably withdrew from the event after Baena’s passing.

However, she later appeared in a Ritz Crackers Super Bowl commercial, which had been filmed before Baena’s death.

A Decade-Long Relationship

Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011 and quietly tied the knot in 2021. Fans first learned about their marriage when Plaza casually referred to Baena as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post.

The couple frequently collaborated on films, including 2014’s Life After Beth and 2017’s The Little Hours.

Baena’s work as a filmmaker was widely recognized, with his films premiering at major festivals such as Sundance and South by Southwest.

Baena’s Film Career

Baena attended New York University’s film school and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career in entertainment.

His directing credits include:

• Spin Me Round (2022) – A dark comedy starring Alison Brie.
• Joshy (2016) – A dramedy featuring Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, and Nick Kroll.
• Horse Girl (2020) – A psychological drama co-written with Alison Brie.
• I Heart Huckabees (2004) – A film he co-wrote with David O. Russell, exploring existential themes with humor.

Plaza Reflects on Working with Baena

Throughout their relationship, Plaza and Baena often worked together, and in a past interview, she shared her experience of collaborating with him:

“I think that when you’re with someone in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level. So obviously, you are able to support each other and really understand the journey that we’re both on. But, you know, working with your partner can always be challenging. There’s a lot of things we do separately, and I think that it’s all about balance.”

Baena’s Final Moments

According to TMZ, law enforcement sources revealed that emergency services were called to the couple’s Los Angeles home at approximately 10:30 a.m. on January 3.

Reports indicate that an assistant found Baena unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later confirmed that his cause of death was suicide.

A Quiet but Meaningful Return

Despite stepping away from the spotlight in the weeks following Baena’s passing, Plaza’s appearance at SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special was a quiet yet powerful moment.

Her tribute to Baena through her fashion choice and her ability to return to work speaks to her strength during this heartbreaking time.

As Plaza continues to grieve and heal, her fans and the Hollywood community remain supportive of her journey forward.