A New Chapter for Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey Plaza, the beloved star of Parks and Recreation, has officially announced that she is expecting her first child. The 41-year-old actress is currently pregnant with her first baby with partner Chris Abbott, with the couple expecting their new arrival this fall. A representative for the actress confirmed the joyous news to PEOPLE on Tuesday.
“It was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year,” an inside source shared with the outlet, noting that the parents-to-be “feel very blessed” as they prepare for this significant life transition.
A Growing Partnership
While the timeline of Plaza and 40-year-old Abbott’s romantic relationship has remained largely private, the two have shared a professional history for several years. They previously collaborated on the 2020 film Black Bear and later reunited for the 2023 Off-Broadway revival of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. Abbott is currently making waves on Broadway, starring in the revival of Death of a Salesman alongside industry veterans Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf.
Plaza recently sparked speculation during her appearance at Paris Fashion Week. The actress expertly navigated the public eye by opting for loose-fitting, stylish ensembles, including an oversized polo shirt and mini skirt at the Lacoste show, effectively keeping her baby bump under wraps until the official announcement.
Moving Forward Through Grief
This pregnancy marks a hopeful new chapter for Plaza, coming more than a year after the tragic passing of her husband, screenwriter and director Jeff Baena, in January 2025. At the time of his death, the couple—who married in 2021—had been separated for four months.
In a candid conversation on her former co-star Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast last August, Plaza opened up about the complexities of processing such a profound loss. “Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you,” she told Poehler. “Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning.”
She spoke openly about the nature of grief, describing it as a constant presence. “At all times, there’s, like, a giant ocean of just awfulness that’s just right there and I can see it,” she explained. “Sometimes I just want to dive into it and be in it, and sometimes I look at it and sometimes I just try to get away from it, but it’s always there.”