Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza, born on June 26, 1984, is a versatile American actress, comedian, and producer known for her unique style and wit. She gained widespread recognition for her role as the sardonic April Ludgate in the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" (2009–2015), where her deadpan delivery and comedic timing endeared her to audiences.


Plaza's film career includes notable roles such as Julie Powers in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" (2010) and its 2023 sequel, as well as portraying the enigmatic characters the Shadow King and Lenny Busker in the FX superhero series "Legion" (2017–2019). Her performance in the second season of the HBO anthology series "The White Lotus" (2022) earned her critical acclaim, leading to nominations for prestigious awards like the Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe.


Before achieving fame in television and film, Plaza honed her comedic skills performing improv and sketch comedy at the renowned Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. She made her mark in the film industry with her first leading role in "Safety Not Guaranteed" (2012), showcasing her range as an actress. Plaza's filmography also includes diverse projects like "Mystery Team" (2009), "Funny People" (2009), "The To Do List" (2013), "Life After Beth" (2014), "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" (2016), "Child's Play" (2019), and "Happiest Season" (2020).


In addition to her acting career, Plaza has ventured into producing, with credits on films like "The Little Hours" (2017), "Ingrid Goes West" (2017), "Black Bear" (2020), and "Emily the Criminal" (2022). Her multifaceted talents and impactful contributions to the entertainment industry led to her inclusion in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in Hollywood.


Aubrey Plaza's background reflects a rich mix of cultural influences. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Bernadette, an attorney, and David Plaza, a financial advisor, she grew up in a family with diverse roots. Plaza has two younger sisters, Renee and Natalie.


Her name, Aubrey, was inspired by the soft rock band Bread's song "Aubrey." Plaza's paternal grandfather, Ismael, hailed from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, before relocating to the mainland U.S. at the age of 17. This Puerto Rican heritage adds to Plaza's multifaceted identity. On her mother's side, Plaza has Irish and English ancestry, and she also has Taíno ancestry, further enriching her cultural background.


Plaza describes herself as "half-Puerto Rican," emphasizing her connection to her Puerto Rican relatives and heritage. Despite her diverse background, Plaza grew up in a very Catholic household and attended Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school, where she was actively involved in student council and drama productions. Following high school, Plaza pursued her passion for film by studying at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2006.


Aubrey Plaza's career is marked by a diverse array of performances across various platforms. She began honing her comedic talents at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in 2004, where she engaged in improv and sketch comedy. Plaza's versatility allowed her to transition seamlessly between stand-up comedy, online series, and television appearances.
Her breakthrough role came with her portrayal of April Ludgate in the hit NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, a character that earned her widespread acclaim for her deadpan delivery and unique comedic timing. Plaza's talent also extended to music videos, where she appeared in works by Father John Misty and Cassorla, even showcasing her saxophone-playing skills.


In 2012, Plaza garnered critical acclaim for her starring role in the indie comedy Safety Not Guaranteed, showcasing her ability to balance humor with depth. This performance earned her the Breakthrough Performance (Female) award at the 2012 Young Hollywood Awards. Plaza's comedic daring was further exemplified when she famously interrupted the 2013 MTV Movie Awards stage, echoing Kanye West's infamous interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.


Throughout her career, Plaza has continued to challenge herself with diverse roles, such as playing Sacagawea in a Drunk History episode and starring in the CBS Film The To Do List. Her involvement in projects like Life After Beth and voicing Grumpy Cat in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever showcased her versatility as an actress.
Plaza's career trajectory highlights her unique blend of comedic talent, versatility, and willingness to take on unconventional roles, making her a standout figure in the entertainment industry.


Aubrey Plaza's career has been marked by a diverse array of roles spanning film, television, and stage, showcasing her versatility as an actress and comedian.
In 2016, Plaza starred in the comedy film Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, where her performance as the rebellious Tatiana earned her critical praise. She also made guest appearances on shows like Harmonquest and Drunk History, displaying her comedic talents across different platforms.


Plaza's versatility was further demonstrated in her portrayal of Cat Adams, a contract killer, in the CBS series Criminal Minds. In 2017, she both starred in and produced two films, The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West, with the latter earning her praise for her portrayal of a social media-obsessed fan. Plaza's performance in Ingrid Goes West earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.


From 2017 to 2019, Plaza starred in the FX series Legion, showcasing her acting range by playing dual roles as Amahl Farouk/Shadow King and Lenny Busker. She also hosted the Independent Spirit Awards in both 2019 and 2020.
Plaza continued to diversify her portfolio with roles in films like Child's Play (2019), Black Bear (2020), and Happiest Season (2020), displaying her ability to tackle a variety of genres.
In addition to her acting career, Plaza ventured into writing, co-authoring a children's book titled The Legend of the Christmas Witch in 2021. She also produced and starred in the film Emily the Criminal, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.


Plaza's recent projects include starring in the second season of the HBO series The White Lotus, for which she received critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination. She also received the Artist of Distinction Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2022.
In 2023, Plaza faced criticism for her participation in an ad for the dairy industry. Despite this, she continued to push boundaries in her career, making her stage debut off-Broadway in the revival of John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.
In 2024, Plaza reunited with her Parks and Recreation co-star Nick Offerman in a Mountain Dew ad for the Super Bowl, showcasing her enduring presence in the entertainment industry.

References

1.  Plaza, Aubrey (March 1, 2012). "Aubrey Plaza Finally Confronts Her Multiple Personalities". Bullett Magazine. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
2. ^ "UPI Alamanc for Saturday, June 26, 2021". United Press International. June 26, 2021. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021. actor Aubrey Plaza in 1984 (age 37)
3. ^ "Time 100". Time. April 13, 2023. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
4. ^ Cormier, Ryan (January 15, 2010). "From Wilmy to Hollywood". The News Journal. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
5. a b c d Micklos, John Jr. (February 15, 2012). "Aubrey Plaza of NBC's Parks and Recreation: Wilmington Native Is Building a Buzz in Hollywood". Delaware Today. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
6. a b Cormier, Ryan (October 16, 2017). "Aubrey Plaza comes home again (sorta) to help Puerto Rico with fundraiser". Delaware Online. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
7. ^ Longworth, Karina (December 14, 2012). "Aubrey Plaza: 'I'm a poster child for irony'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
8. a b Hernández, Lee (June 11, 2009). "This girl's no slouch". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
9. ^ Aubrey Plaza [@plazadeaubrey] (October 12, 2020). "HAPPY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY I protested this statue in highschool and finally it has been removed (almost). Let's celebrate Indigenous…". Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2020 – via Instagram.
10. ^ Herrera, Monica (April 9, 2009). "Parks & Recreation star Aubrey Plaza explains why she's so hot right now". Latina. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
11. ^ Aubrey Plaza Replies to Fans on the Internet. Event occurs at 8:22. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
12. ^ Keller, Joel (November 24, 2014). "Aubrey Plaza on Being Grumpy Cat and Saying Goodbye to 'Parks and Recreation'". Parade. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
13. ^ Micklos, John Jr. (February 15, 2012). "Aubrey Plaza of NBC's Parks and Recreation: Wilmington Native Is Building a Buzz in Hollywood". Delaware Today. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
14. ^ Byrne, Mark; Cole, Todd (July 24, 2013). "The GQ Interview: Aubrey Plaza". GQ. Archived from the original on November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.