50 Facts About Aubrey Plaza

Early Life and Background

Aubrey Plaza's journey to stardom began in Wilmington, Delaware. Her unique heritage and upbringing played a significant role in shaping her personality and career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Aubrey Christina Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware, to Bernadette and David Plaza. She is the eldest of three sisters.

2. Family Background: Her father is a financial advisor, and her mother is an attorney who also enjoys painting.

3. Ancestry: Plaza’s paternal grandfather was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and moved to the mainland U.S. when he was 17 years old. She has a diverse heritage, including Puerto Rican, Irish, Spanish, West-African, Native American, and Ashkenazi Jewish roots.

Education and Early Interests

Plaza's early education and interests laid the foundation for her future career in acting and comedy.

4. Early Education: Plaza attended Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Wilmington.

5. Community Theater: Her love for acting began in community theater, performing with the Wilmington Drama League and the Delaware Theatre Company.

6. High School Achievements: Plaza was the student-council president and performed in theatrical productions. She also made short films and enrolled in an improv school in Philadelphia.

7. Video Store Job: Working at a video store during her teenage years, she discovered her love for independent films and filmmakers like John Waters and Christopher Guest.

8. John Waters’ Influence: Waters’ satirical film Serial Mom (1994) had a significant impact on Plaza, shaping her comedic sensibility.

College and Early Career

Plaza's college years and early career experiences were crucial in honing her skills and opening doors in the entertainment industry.

9. New York Film Academy: In 2001, Plaza attended the New York Film Academy’s summer camp for filmmaking.

10. Tisch School of the Arts: She studied film and television production at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2006.

11. Early Career: After high school, Plaza interned for Saturday Night Live (SNL) and worked as a page for NBC. She briefly appeared in an episode of 30 Rock.

12. The Jeannie Tate Show: Plaza landed a small recurring role as a troubled teen on the Internet comedy series The Jeannie Tate Show, which led to her getting an agent.

Breakthrough and Major Roles

Plaza's breakthrough came with her role in Parks and Recreation, followed by several notable performances in film and television.

13. Move to Los Angeles: In 2008, Plaza moved to Los Angeles and quickly landed roles in Funny People, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Parks and Recreation.

14. Breakthrough Role: Her portrayal of April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following.

15. Awards and Nominations: Plaza was nominated for several awards for her role as April Ludgate, including MTV Movie Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

16. Versatility in Acting: Plaza has demonstrated her versatility by seamlessly transitioning between comedic and dramatic roles.

Notable Film Roles

Plaza's film career includes a mix of indie hits and mainstream successes, showcasing her range as an actress.

17. Safety Not Guaranteed: Plaza’s first starring role was in the indie comedy-drama Safety Not Guaranteed (2012).

18. Legion: Plaza played Lenore (Lenny) Busker in the HBO series Legion (2017–19).

19. Black Bear: In 2020, Plaza starred in the comedy-drama thriller Black Bear.

20. Happiest Season: Plaza appeared in a supporting role in Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season.

21. Best Sellers: In 2021, Plaza starred opposite Michael Caine in Best Sellers.

22. Emily the Criminal: Plaza played the titular role in Emily the Criminal (2022).

Recent and Upcoming Projects

Plaza continues to take on exciting new projects, both in front of and behind the camera.

23. Little Demon: Plaza returned to the small screen in 2022 as the voice of Laura in the animated adult comedy Little Demon.

24. The White Lotus: Plaza starred as Harper Spiller in HBO’s acclaimed comedy-drama The White Lotus.

25. Producing Career: Plaza has been a producer for several of her own films, including The Little Hours and Emily the Criminal.

26. Children’s Books: Plaza has published two children’s books: The Legend of the Christmas Witch and The Return of the Christmas Witch.

27. Saturday Night Live Hosting: In January 2023, Plaza hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time.

28. Criticism for Wood Milk Ad: Plaza received criticism for participating in a parody ad for "Wood Milk."

29. Off-Broadway Debut: Plaza will make her stage debut in an off-Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley’s Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.

30. Drama League Distinguished Performance Award Nomination: Plaza was nominated for the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award for her role in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.

31. Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People: Time magazine named Plaza one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.

32. Mountain Dew Ad with Nick Offerman: In 2024, Plaza and her Parks and Recreation costar Nick Offerman reunited in a Mountain Dew ad.

33. John Waters’ Liarmouth: Plaza will star in John Waters’s first film in over 20 years, Liarmouth.

34. My Old Ass: Plaza portrays the future self of Elliott Labrant in the comedy film My Old Ass (2024).

35. Megalopolis: She will portray TV presenter Wow Platinum in Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming epic science fiction drama Megalopolis (2024).

36. Agatha All Along: Plaza will play witch Rio Vidal in the Disney+ miniseries Agatha All Along, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Personal Life and Challenges

Plaza's personal life and the challenges she has faced add depth to her public persona.

37. Personal Life: Plaza has been in a relationship with writer and director Jeff Baena since 2011. They were married by May 2021. She is bisexual.

38. Medical Issues: Plaza had a stroke when she was 20 years old that caused temporary expressive aphasia. She also had a transient ischemic attack while on the set of Parks and Recreation.

39. Social Anxiety: Plaza experiences social anxiety, which she has spoken about publicly.

Improv and Comedy Background

Plaza's roots in improv and comedy have significantly influenced her career and comedic style.

40. Improv Background: Plaza started her career in improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City.

41. Criminal Minds Role: Plaza played Cat Adams, a brilliant assassin known as the Black Widow, in Criminal Minds.

42. Marvel Universe: Plaza entered the Marvel Universe when she was cast as Lenny in Legion.

Fun Facts and Trivia

Plaza's quirky personality and unique experiences make for some interesting trivia.

43. Named After a Song: Plaza was named after the song "Aubrey" by the band Bread.

44. Relationship with Jeff Baena: Plaza met her boyfriend Jeff Baena in 2011. They have worked on several projects together.

45. Public Image: Despite her success, Plaza has never been the kind of celebrity who puts too much personal information out there for the public.

46. Fan Base: Plaza has built a loyal fan base from her indie roles. After the success of The White Lotus, she is now ready for superstardom.

47. Fashion and Style: Plaza is known for her unique sense of style, often wearing bold and eclectic outfits.

48. Childhood Pranks: As a kid, Plaza was a prankster and loved the public spectacle.

49. Middle School Antics: In middle school, Plaza was known for her antics, including following the principal home in a cardboard box.

Current Projects

Plaza continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of wit, charm, and versatility.

50. Current Projects: Currently, Plaza is involved in several projects, including Megalopolis, Liarmouth, and Agatha All Along.

Aubrey Plaza: A Unique Talent

Aubrey Plaza's journey from a shy kid in Delaware to a Hollywood star is nothing short of inspiring. With her deadpan humor, versatility, and distinctive style, she has carved out a niche in both comedy and drama. From her breakout role as April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation to her critically acclaimed performances in Legion and The White Lotus, Plaza continues to captivate audiences. Her work as a producer, author, and voice actor further showcases her multifaceted talent. Despite facing personal challenges like a stroke and social anxiety, she remains a resilient and influential figure. Plaza's upcoming projects, including Megalopolis and Agatha All Along, promise to keep her in the spotlight. Her unique blend of wit, charm, and authenticity ensures that she will remain a beloved figure in the entertainment industry for years to come.