Aubrey Plaza is set to take on a new role as she anticipates the arrival of her first child with partner Chris Abbott. The news was confirmed by a spokesperson for Plaza to People magazine, describing it as a delightful surprise following a challenging year and expressing gratitude for their blessings.
Plaza and Abbott, who had not publicly acknowledged their relationship before, have a shared history as co-stars. They appeared together in the 2020 film “Black Bear” and also collaborated in the off-Broadway revival of “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” in 2023.
In addition to her successful acting career, Plaza is known for her work as an author of children’s books. She released “The Legend of the Christmas Witch” in 2021 and a sequel titled “The Return of the Christmas Witch” in 2022. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Plaza shared the inspiration behind her stories, which involve surprising children on Christmas morning.
The announcement of Plaza’s pregnancy comes just over a year after the passing of her husband, Jeff Baena. Baena, a filmmaker known for his indie successes, tragically died by suicide in January 2025 at the age of 47. Plaza first opened up about her husband’s death during an episode of Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, describing the daily struggle of coping with grief.
Plaza likened her grief to a pit of darkness and monsters surrounded by cliffs, a sentiment she compared to the film “The Gorge.” Despite the ongoing challenges, Plaza expressed gratitude for being able to navigate through life while acknowledging the continuous presence of grief.
For those in need of support, resources such as the Suicide Crisis Helpline, Kids Help Phone, and the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention are available. It is important to reach out for help during difficult times.