Aubrey Plaza Net Worth

What is Aubrey Plaza's net worth?

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress and comedienne who has a net worth of $8 million. Aubrey Plaza first gained widespread recognition playing April Ludgate on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" (2009–2015), where her dry humor and quirky delivery made her a fan favorite. Before landing that breakout role, Plaza honed her skills in improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York and appeared in online shorts and experimental comedy projects that showcased her unconventional approach to performance.

Her television success quickly led to film opportunities, and Plaza built a career blending comedy with darker, more complex roles. She starred in "Safety Not Guaranteed" (2012), a critically acclaimed indie comedy that earned her praise for bringing depth to her eccentric character. She went on to appear in a wide range of films, including "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," "The To Do List," "Life After Beth," and "Dirty Grandpa." Plaza also embraced more dramatic and genre-bending work with standout performances in the thriller "Black Bear" (2020) and the crime drama "Emily the Criminal" (2022), the latter earning her some of the strongest reviews of her career.

On television, Plaza has taken on diverse roles, including the FX series "Legion," where she played multiple versions of a complex, shape-shifting character, and HBO's "The White Lotus," where she starred in the second season and earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Beyond acting, she has produced projects and become a sought-after figure for her unpredictability in interviews and live appearances.

Early Life

Aubrey Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware. Her father, David, worked as a financial advisor, while her mother, Bernadette, was an attorney. Plaza is the eldest of three daughters, with two younger sisters, Natalie and Renee.

She comes from a multicultural background; her father is Puerto Rican and her mother is of Irish descent. Both parents were devout Catholics, and Plaza grew up in the Catholic faith. She attended Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Wilmington, where she graduated in 2002. While in high school, Plaza became active in the Wilmington Drama League, where she began to sharpen her comedic instincts and passion for performance.

Deciding to pursue the arts seriously, Plaza enrolled at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she majored in film. During her time in college, she began experimenting with comedy and acting, setting the foundation for her future career. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in 2006.

Career

While still a student at NYU, Plaza began interning at "Saturday Night Live," gaining valuable behind-the-scenes exposure. Around this time, she started performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York, quickly building a reputation for her deadpan delivery and unpredictable stage presence. She also performed stand-up sets at venues like the Laugh Factory and The Improv and worked as a page for NBC's apprenticeship program, giving tours inside 30 Rockefeller Center.

Her earliest on-screen appearances were in web series, including "Terrible Decisions with Ben Schwartz" and "The Jeannie Tate Show." In 2009, she landed her first film role in "Funny People," where she appeared alongside Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann. That same year, she was cast as April Ludgate on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation." The series, which ran from 2009 to 2015, became a critical and commercial success, and Plaza's portrayal of the cynical yet endearing April made her one of the show's breakout stars.

During her run on "Parks and Recreation," Plaza continued taking on diverse film roles. She appeared in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," "Damsels in Distress," and "Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You." Her first leading role came with "Safety Not Guaranteed" in 2012, where she played the skeptical journalist Darius Britt. The indie film was a critical hit, winning multiple awards at the Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards, and it cemented Plaza as a capable lead actress.

She continued expanding her range with the zombie comedy "Life After Beth" (2014) and the raunchy comedy "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" (2016) opposite Anna Kendrick, Zac Efron, and Adam DeVine. Plaza also moved into producing, serving as both star and producer on "The Little Hours" (2017) and "Ingrid Goes West" (2017). The latter, a dark comedy about social media obsession, received critical acclaim and won an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. She later took on horror in the 2019 remake of "Child's Play."

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Her television work extended beyond "Parks and Recreation," with appearances on "Portlandia," "Criminal Minds," and voice roles in "SpongeBob SquarePants," "The Legend of Korra," "Golan the Insatiable," and the holiday special "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever." She earned wide praise for her role in FX's "Legion," portraying the complex character Lenny Busker. Her performance earned her nominations for Best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards and Best Actress at the Imagen Awards.

In 2020, Plaza co-produced and starred in "Black Bear," an experimental thriller that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her performance was widely hailed by critics and won her the Hollywood Critics Association Award for Acting Achievement. That same year, she starred in Hulu's holiday comedy-drama "Happiest Season," which received strong reviews.

Plaza's career reached another milestone with HBO's hit anthology series "The White Lotus" in 2022. Starring in the second season, she played Harper Spiller, a skeptical lawyer navigating marital tension during a luxury resort vacation. Her performance earned her an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe nomination, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and daring actress.

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Personal Life and Health Issues

At the age of 20, while studying at NYU, Plaza suffered a stroke that resulted in expressive aphasia and temporary paralysis. She was unable to speak or write but retained the ability to walk. Thanks to her youth and determination, she recovered and eventually regained full abilities. Later, while filming "Parks and Recreation," she suffered a smaller stroke but once again made a full recovery.

Plaza's personal relationships have also drawn attention. She briefly dated actor Michael Cera after filming "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," with the two parting amicably after more than a year together. In 2011, she began a relationship with filmmaker Jeff Baena, who directed her in "Joshy," "The Little Hours," and "Life After Beth." The couple married in 2021 after a decade together. Tragically, Jeff Baena died in January 2025 at the age of 47, with reports attributing his death to suicide. Plaza has since continued her career while navigating the loss.

Real Estate

In July 2016, Plaza purchased a Hollywood Hills home for $1.6 million. She listed the property in August 2022 for $2.25 million and quickly found a buyer close to her asking price. That same year, in October 2022, she upgraded to a larger Hollywood Hills residence, paying $4.7 million. The home represented another milestone in her success, reflecting both her continued Hollywood presence and financial growth.

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