Aubrey Plaza on the Surprising Star Who Shaped Her Career
Aubrey Plaza opens up about the actor who influenced her approach to both comedy and drama, revealing how his unique career path inspired her own choices in Hollywood.
For a while, Aubrey Plaza was everywhere online, her offbeat sense of humor and distinctive style making her a favorite among millennials. Her breakout as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation turned her into a household name, with her dry wit and deadpan delivery leaving a lasting impression on fans. As the decade rolled on, Plaza’s range became clear—she jumped from the quirky world of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World to the intense psychological drama of Black Bear. On TV, she wowed audiences with her performance in HBO ’s The White Lotus, showing she could handle both comedy and drama with ease.
But Plaza has never shied away from taking risks, even if it means starring in projects that miss the mark. In 2016, she appeared in Dirty Grandpa, a raunchy comedy alongside Robert De Niro. The film was panned by critics, with many calling it one of the worst movies ever made. Still, Plaza’s willingness to embrace both highbrow and lowbrow roles speaks to her calculated approach to her career.
Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Plaza’s strategy isn’t random. She’s drawn inspiration from an actor known for his own mix of questionable comedies and standout dramatic performances. In an interview, she explained,
“All I was doing when I was living in Queens at that time was just scheming. I always wanted to do dramatic roles. Once I figured out, OK, I can do comedy, I’m funny, I was very calculated about my career. The people I admired most were people like Adam Sandler, who would do broad comedies and also go do Punch-Drunk Love.”
Adam Sandler, famous for hits like The Wedding Singer, Billy Madison, and Happy Gilmore, shocked many when he took on a leading role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love. Audiences were surprised by his powerful performance, and he’s since proven his dramatic chops in films like Uncut Gems. Plaza admires Sandler’s ability to move between silly comedies and serious roles, a balance she strives for in her own work.
Working With a Comedy Legend
Plaza had the chance to work with Sandler in 2009’s Funny People, directed by Judd Apatow. Although the film didn’t make a splash at the box office, it marked the beginning of a friendship between the two actors. Over the years, they’ve stayed in touch, even interviewing each other in 2020. For Plaza, Sandler isn’t just a comedy icon—he’s a role model who’s shown her that it’s possible to succeed in both comedy and drama, no matter what critics might say.