The outing marks Plaza’s first public event since Baena’s death at age 47 six weeks ago
Aubrey Plaza made her first public appearance since the death of her husband Jeff Baena.
The actress, 40,attended the SNL50: The Anniversary Special event in New York City on Sunday, Feb. 16, where she introduced musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard. Plaza did not appear on the red carpet preceding the event.
Plaza was dressed in black dress pants and a black blazer with a simple tee underneath.
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Plaza began dating Baena in 2011 and married in 2021. A writer and director, Baena’s film credits include I Heart Huckabees (2004), Life After Beth (2014), Horse Girl (2020) and Spin Me Round (2022), his final movie.
An assistant discovered Baena’s body at a Los Angeles-area home around 10:30 a.m. local time on Jan. 3, according to TMZ, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, the manner of death was ruled a suicide.
Plaza and Baena’s family spoke out about his death in a Jan. 6 statement to PEOPLE that read, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Loved ones of Baena, who was 47, honored the late filmmaker at a funeral in Miami on Jan. 10.
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An obituary for Baena was published in the Miami Herald, and described him as “a beloved son, husband, brother, uncle and friend to many.”
After honoring his penchant for being “a true relationship builder with a gift for bringing people together on and off the movie set,” the obituary continued, “When he was a boy, Jeff loved reading The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.”
“Ironically, in it, the Little Prince exclaims, ‘I haven’t much time. I have friends to find and so many things to learn.’ And so it was for Jeff,” it added.
After listing the loved ones Baena is survived by, the obituary concluded, “We shall always love and deeply miss Jeff. His presence, as well as his work, made the world feel better. He had lots more to offer. Alas, all that is gone. Sweet dreams, our Little Prince.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
