Aubrey Plaza is most notably known for her famous role as April Ludgate in NBC's hit show Parks And Recreation. Her role as April is what every fan associates Aubrey with and it was her biggest introduction to the public; it's the show we always say "where Aubrey is from."
Aside from the favored role, fans don't know too much about the talented actress and it's a shame because there is way more to Aubrey than her skilled performance as April Ludgate. Aubrey has never been the kind of celeb who puts too much personal information out there for the public but there are some surprising things about the actress audiences may not have known about so we've compiled a list of some things you may never have expected about the famous celeb.
10 She Started In Improv
Most people in love with comedy and even comedic acting will gravitate towards stand up comedy as audiences often see. Aubrey did her improv at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre in New York City.
To be able to successfully execute improv is another type of talent and it's no surprise that Aubrey conquered that task as well. To get into the public eye and start with improv also helps explain why Aubrey is so good at so many shows and movies; her versatility is rare.
9 She Had Two Strokes
It's easy public knowledge that Aubrey has suffered from two strokes, the second one happened on the set of Parks And Rec and fans probably learned about both at the same time.
Aubrey's first one occurred when she was 20 and her second one on set was a smaller one, thankfully, and the actress appears to have made a full recovery since then. Medical issues that serious is sometimes good to talk about because it is comforting for fans to know that they're not alone. Also, for some fans seeing Aubrey get over and past such a scary time can give people hope.
8 She Was In Criminal Minds
Aubrey had one of the most memorable villain roles in Criminal Minds. Fans of the show know that when a villain does a really good job at being bad that they're usually invited back (unless they're killed off, of course).
Aubrey played Cat Adams, a brilliant assassin known also as the Black Widow as her character killed men. Aubrey hits notes that fans may not have known she could reach; a darker, twisted version is what fans will see as Aubrey appears in seasons 11, 12, and 15.
7 She's Part Of The Marvel Universe
Speaking of darker and more twisted roles, Aubrey entered the Marvel Universe when she was cast as Lenny in the HBO series Legion inspired by the Marvel comics.
Aubrey actually basically helped create Lenny as the role was supposed to go to a man but the director loved Aubrey's spontaneity and dedication to just go for it, according to Behind the Scenes footage on the BluRay for the first season. Aubrey even showed up to work one day with her armpits completely unshaven to show that the character should just do whatever they want to since Lenny never really has a clear identity.
6 She Was Named After A Song By Bread
Aubrey was named after the song "Aubrey" by the band Bread. Fans of Aubrey might not have heard of the band because of the age difference between the celebrity's roles and the band's career.
To be named after a song though isn't something you expected because again most people associate the actress with more deadpan-related topics because they can't help but associate her as one type of character.
5 She Has Been In A Relationship Since 2011
Aubrey met her boyfriend Jeff Baena in 2011. Jeff is also in the industry as he is a writer and director. The two have worked on several pieces together and live together in Cali.
With so many celeb couples not making it either because of the public eye or other unknown reasons, it's nice to see Aubrey and Jeff still together after almost a decade.
4 She Falls In Love With Men & Women
In the Business Standard, Aubrey was quoted in an interview from People magazine saying, "I know I have an androgynous thing going on, and there’s something masculine about my energy. Girls are into me — that’s no secret. Hey, I’m into them too. I fall in love with girls and guys. I can’t help it."
Other celebrities like Demi Lovato and Kristen Stewart and Aubrey share that it is completely okay to love whoever you love, another inspiring move for fans to accept and love themselves.
3 She Undergoes Unconventional Training
In an old interview with The Cut, Aubrey shed some light on how she would train for roles. While we know she got started with improv it is very interesting to see the different methods celebrities will go through for their roles.
Aubrey admitted her agent at the time would have her do random things like walk up to strangers or cops in character. Aubrey also mentioned the agent would leave random voicemails at random hours to really get the actress to live the roles. Aubrey credits these methods of learning for her dedication to do anything to capture the characters she's given.
2 She Hates "The Aubrey Plaza Thing"
Everyone associates Aubrey as this deadpan, dry, dark humor kind of person because of her role as April Ludgate. Aubrey mentions often that she actually can't stand that that is all people associate her with.
While she is grateful for the role there are a lot of celebrities that get portrayed as one kind of actor because of one role. In the same interview from The Cut, Aubrey says people expect the persona of April from her so often, she doesn't even call it the "April Ludgate" thing because people think that's just really her.
1 Voiced A SpongeBob Character
Of course, even the character Aubrey does a voice over for in SpongeBob Squarepants reminds people of April Ludgate.
Aubrey does the voice for Nocturna who is a cashier in the mall in Season 9 of the series and is also featured in some of the show's games online.
