Aubrey Plaza at Knicks game before husband’s death


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Just two days before her husband Jeff Baena’s tragic passing, Aubrey Plaza was spotted enjoying herself at a New York Knicks game.

The “Parks and Recreation” star, 40, was seen sharing laughs with comedian Jerrod Carmichael on New Year’s Day from their prime seats in Madison Square Garden’s celebrity row.

Exclusive photos captured the duo’s lighthearted moment, with Carmichael, dressed casually, embracing Plaza, who sported a black jacket and orange cap.

Their friendship appears to span many years, with Carmichael, who is openly gay, and Plaza maintaining a platonic relationship. Plaza’s representatives were unavailable for immediate comment regarding the outing.

The status of Plaza’s marriage to Baena at the time remained private, as the couple was known for keeping their personal life out of the public eye.

The “White Lotus” actress had previously revealed their surprise pandemic wedding in 2021, which came after a decade-long relationship that began through their professional collaborations on films like “Life After Beth” (2014) and “The Little Hours” (2017).

During an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Plaza had shared how their wedding came about, recounting how she casually suggested to Baena on their 10th anniversary, “We should do something. Get an ice cream cone or do something special,” and “joked about getting married.”

Their wedding was ultimately arranged through an online service that facilitated quick marriage licenses, leading to an intimate ceremony at their home.

While the couple rarely shared their relationship on social media, they occasionally appeared together at industry events.

Following Baena’s death on Friday, Plaza’s representative referred to a statement provided to Deadline that read “the family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time.” Plaza herself has yet to make a public statement about her husband’s passing.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Baena, 47, was pronounced dead at a Los Angeles residence on Friday at 10:39 a.m. local time.

While the official cause of death remains undisclosed, TMZ reported, citing law enforcement sources, that the “I Heart Huckabees” co-writer died by suicide.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

 

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