Aubrey Plaza appeared to be in good spirits shortly before husband Jeff Baena’s tragic death.
The “White Lotus” actress, 40, went to the New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
She was joined by comedian and pal Jerrod Carmichael.
Aubrey Plaza and Jerrod Carmichael at the New York Knicks game on Jan. 1. Jason Szenes for NY Post
Plaza and Carmichael sit front row at the New York Knicks game. Jason Szenes for NY PostThe pair laughed and smiled together as they watched the game from the front row. Carmichael, who is openly gay, wrapped his arm around the actress.
Plaza wore a black jacket and an orange hat.
Plaza and Carmichael watching an NBA game at Madison Square Garden. Jason Szenes for NY Post
Plaza was all smiles two days before her husband’s death Jason Szenes for NY PostTwo days after the game, Plaza’s husband was found dead by an assistant at his home in the Los Angeles area. He was 47.
The director was pronounced dead at the scene, with law enforcement reportedly saying he died by suicide, The Post reported earlier.
Jeff Baena at the Seattle Film Festival in 2022. Getty ImagesPlaza and Baena began dating in 2011 and were married in 2021.
While known as a private person, Plaza has occasionally spoken lovingly of her late husband on social media and in interviews.
“The marriage was just like a joke that honestly went to far,” Plaza quipped during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” the same year as her wedding. “We got married on a whim. Literally decided at around 5 p.m. and got married at 8:30.”
Plaza and Baena at the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival. FilmMagicDetailing the nuptials, she continued: “Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine, so I decided that we were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that Jeff had made for us … I had my little rosemary crown and a love altar in the backyard of all of our love objects. It was very witch-core, but it happened.”
Baena and Plaza in May 2016. Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesPlaza also touched on balancing her personal and professional relationship with Baena, as the two collaborated on several films together, including “Life After Beth” and “The Little Hours.”
“It’s so great, it’s so complicated,” Plaza told Barrymore about working with her husband. “It’s, like, extreme highs and extreme, you know, complications. It’s a really hard thing to navigate, but we’ve been together for 11 years. We just muscle our way through it.”
Baena and Plaza at Sundance NEXT FEST in 2014. Mark Davis/Getty ImagesThe day before Baena’s death, Plaza was announced as a presenter at the 2025 Golden Globes taking place Sunday night, Jan. 5.
However, the Daily Mail reported that her presence at the 82nd annual awards show was considered highly unlikely.
Plaza has not yet made any public comment regarding the sudden and tragic loss of her husband.
The Post has reached out to Plaza’s rep for comment.
