Aubrey Plaza: A Journey from Wilmington to Hollywood

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Table of content

Early Life & Childhood
Rise to Fame
Biggest Success
Personal Life & Challenges

Early Life & Childhood

Aubrey Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware. Named after the song "Aubrey" by Bread, Plaza grew up in a close-knit family with her two younger sisters, Renee and Natalie. Her father, David Plaza, is of Puerto Rican descent and worked as a financial advisor, while her mother, Bernadette, is of Irish and English ancestry and worked as an attorney.
Growing up, Aubrey was a bright and creative child, showing an early interest in performance and comedy. She attended Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school, where her wit and unique sense of humor began to shine through. Plaza’s early years were also marked by challenges - at the age of 20, she suffered a stroke that temporarily left her with expressive aphasia and paralysis. However, she made a full recovery, and the experience only seemed to fuel her determination to pursue her dreams.

Rise to Fame

Aubrey Plaza’s journey to fame began in New York City, where she moved after graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2006. She started her career in comedy clubs and improv theaters, performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Her deadpan delivery and offbeat sense of humor quickly caught the attention of casting directors.
Her breakthrough role came in 2009 when she was cast as April Ludgate in the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation." The character, known for her sarcastic and apathetic demeanor, became an instant fan favorite and made Plaza a household name. The show ran for seven seasons, and Plaza’s performance as April solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s most unique comedic talents.

Biggest Success

While "Parks and Recreation" remains one of her most beloved roles, Aubrey Plaza has also made significant strides in film. Her role in the 2017 film "Ingrid Goes West" is often cited as her biggest success. In this dark comedy, Plaza plays Ingrid Thorburn, a mentally unstable woman who becomes obsessed with a social media influencer. Her performance was widely praised, earning her critical acclaim and further establishing her versatility as an actress.
In addition to "Ingrid Goes West", Plaza has starred in a variety of films, including "Safety Not Guaranteed" (2012), "The To Do List" (2013), and "Black Bear" (2020). Her ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and drama has made her one of the most sought-after actresses of her generation.

Personal Life & Challenges

Aubrey Plaza is known for being fiercely private about her personal life. She has been in a long-term relationship with writer and director Jeff Baena since 2011. The couple has worked together on several projects, including the films "Life After Beth" (2014) and "The Little Hours" (2017).


Despite her success, Plaza has faced challenges, including being a victim of the so-called "Fappening" leaks in 2014, where private nude photos and videos of her were stolen and distributed online. Plaza, like many other victims, condemned the invasion of privacy, and the incident highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by public figures in the digital age.
Despite this violation of her privacy, Aubrey Plaza has continued to thrive in her career, demonstrating resilience and strength. She remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, known for her unique comedic style, her dedication to her craft, and her ability to take on diverse and challenging roles.