• Faith: Spirituality
• Career: Actress
• Birthday:  June 26, 1984

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress, producer, and comedian who first gained widespread fame through her role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the oldest of three daughters. She participated in theatrical productions while attending Ursuline Academy, a Catholic high school in Wilmington. She developed a love for independent films and filmmakers while working at a video store. Aubrey also made short films while in high school and attended the New York Film Academy's summer camp in 2001. Additionally, she attended an improv academy in Philadelphia.

Following high school, she moved to New York and attended Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, focusing on film and television production. While in college, Aubrey also performed improv and sketch comedy with various theater groups. She also served an internship with Saturday Night Live in 2004-2005, and became a page at NBC.

Upon graduating from NYU in 2006, Plaza continued working in improv and sketch comedy in New York. She also appeared in short films and web-based series, including The Jeannie Tate Show. She also had a role in ESPN's Mayne Street in 2008.

Aubrey appeared in her first feature film in 2009 – Mystery Team. She also appeared with Seth Rogen in Judd Apatow's Funny People. While in Los Angeles for Funny People, Aubrey met with the writers who were developing Parks and Recreation. She suggested that the assistant to Amy Poehler's character be a smart but apathetic intern who only took the job for college credit. The writers developed the character of April Ludgate; Aubrey played that role during the six-year run of Parks and Recreation. The role of April Ludgate proved to be a breakout for Aubrey.

Aubrey also continued to act in movies and other projects during her time on Parks and Recreation. For example, she played Julie Powers in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World in 2010. She later had her first starring role in a major film in 2012, Safety Not Guaranteed. Other major film roles include Life After Beth (2014) and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016). Aubrey also had a recurring role as a contract killer in the television series Criminal Minds.

Aubrey branched out beyond acting by producing and starring in two films in 2017: The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West. Continuing to branch out, she directed an episode of the Cinema Toast on Showtime. She also co-wrote a children's book with Dan Murphy, titled The Legend of the Christmas Witch, in 2021. Aubrey was also nominated for both a Golden Globe award and a Primetime Emmy for her role in The White Lotus in 2023. Time Magazine named Aubrey one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2023.

In 2011, Aubrey started dating Jeff Baena, a writer and director. They married in 2021, and she appeared in four of his films. The couple separated in 2024, but remained in close contact.

Baena committed suicide in 2025, and Aubrey has spoken about her grief following his death. On Amy Poehler's podcast Good Hang, Aubrey described her grief as "a giant ocean of awfulness." She also said, "Overall, I'm here, and I'm functioning…I think I'm okay, but it's a daily struggle."

Is Aubrey Plaza Religious?

Although Aubrey was raised in a Catholic environment and attended a Catholic high school, her adult view of religion seems better described as "spirituality" than as identification with any particular faith. She believes that all women have an "inner witch."

She also does not seem to be bothered by criticism from religious groups about her "darker" and supernatural roles. Finally, she has said that although she thinks it is important to have "some kind of faith," she has moved away from her Catholic upbringing and does not have strong views about what the "right answer" might be in terms of religion.