Aubrey Christina Plaza was born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware. Her mother, Bernadette, is of Irish and English descent, and her father, David Plaza, is Puerto Rican. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in Wilmington in 2002. Plaza later attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2006 with a degree in film.
Plaza began her career performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. She gained early screen experience with roles in online series and short films. Her breakthrough role came in 2009 when she was cast as April Ludgate in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. She remained a series regular throughout its seven-season run (2009-2015).
Besides Parks and Recreation, Plaza has made numerous television appearances. She hosted Saturday Night Live in 2023. She starred in and executive produced the FX series Legion (2017-2019), where she played Lenny Busker. She also executive produced and starred in the animated series Little Demon (2022). Other television credits include guest appearances on shows such as Portlandia, Drunk History, and Criminal Minds.
Plaza has a prolific film career spanning various genres. She has appeared in both independent and mainstream films, often playing characters with a deadpan and sardonic demeanor.