Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Aubrey Plaza

Discover the career path of Aubrey Plaza, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress, comedian, and producer. She honed her skills in improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre before making her film debut in Mystery Team (2009). Plaza achieved widespread recognition for her role as April Ludgate in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). She has built a successful career in television and film, known for her deadpan delivery and unique comedic style.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: Training and Performing at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

Since 2004, Aubrey Plaza trained and performed improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

2005: Saturday Night Live Internship

In 2004-2005 season, Aubrey Plaza had an internship at Saturday Night Live.

2006: Appearance in 30 Rock and Short Films

In 2006, Aubrey Plaza appeared in an episode of 30 Rock and was in two short films, Killswitch and In Love.

2008: Improv Everywhere Sketch and Roles in Web Series and ESPN

In 2008, Aubrey Plaza participated in an Improv Everywhere sketch, had a recurring role in The Jeannie Tate Show, and played Robin Gibney in ESPN's Mayne Street.

2009: Feature Film Debut and Breakthrough Role

In 2009, Aubrey Plaza made her feature film debut in Mystery Team and gained recognition for her role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation.

2009: Feature Film Debut and Parks and Recreation Casting

In 2009, Aubrey Plaza made her feature film debut in Mystery Team and was cast as April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation.

2009: Parks and Recreation

In 2009, Parks and Recreation was released.

March 12, 2010: Performance at A Night of 140 Tweets

On March 12, 2010, Aubrey Plaza performed at A Night of 140 Tweets: A Celebrity Tweetathon for Haiti.

2010: Supporting Role in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

In 2010, Aubrey Plaza played a supporting role in the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

2010: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

In 2010, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was released.

2011: Roles in Portlandia, Troopers, Damsels in Distress, and 10 Years

In 2011, Aubrey Plaza had a recurring role in Portlandia, guest starred in Troopers, and appeared in Damsels in Distress and 10 Years.

2012: Starring Role in Safety Not Guaranteed and Young Hollywood Award

In 2012, Aubrey Plaza had her first starring role in a major film in Safety Not Guaranteed and won the Young Hollywood Award for Breakthrough Performance (Female).

2012: Leading Role in Safety Not Guaranteed

In 2012, Aubrey Plaza took on a leading role in the film Safety Not Guaranteed.

2012: Safety Not Guaranteed

In 2012, Safety Not Guaranteed was released.

2013: Portrayal of Sacagawea and Starring Role in The To Do List

In 2013, Aubrey Plaza portrayed Sacagawea in Drunk History and had the starring role in The To Do List.

2013: Voice Role in The Legend of Korra

In 2013, Aubrey Plaza voiced Eska in the animated television series The Legend of Korra.

2014: Voice Role in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever and Starring Roles in Life After Beth and Ned Rifle

In 2014, Aubrey Plaza voiced Grumpy Cat in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever and starred in Life After Beth and Ned Rifle.

2014: Ned Rifle

In 2014, Ned Rifle was released.

2015: End of Parks and Recreation

In 2015, Aubrey Plaza concluded her role as April Ludgate on the NBC political satire sitcom Parks and Recreation, after playing the role since 2009.

2016: Starring Role in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and Guest Roles

In 2016, Aubrey Plaza starred in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and had guest roles on HarmonQuest, Drunk History, and SpongeBob SquarePants. She also portrayed Cat Adams in Criminal Minds.

2017: Role in Legion and Production of Black Comedy Films

In 2017, Aubrey Plaza began portraying the Shadow King in Legion and produced and starred in The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West.

2017: Starring in and Producing The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West

In 2017, Aubrey Plaza starred in and produced The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for the film.

2017: Ingrid Goes West and The Little Hours

In 2017, Ingrid Goes West and The Little Hours were released.

2017: Portrayal in Legion

In 2017, Plaza portrayed Amahl Farouk/Shadow King and Lenny Busker in the FX series Legion, receiving critical acclaim.

2019: Continued Role in Legion

In 2019, Aubrey Plaza continued portraying the Shadow King and Lenny Busker in the FX series Legion, which was critically praised.

2019: Hosting Independent Spirit Awards and Starring in Child's Play Reboot

In 2019, Aubrey Plaza hosted the Independent Spirit Awards and starred in Child's Play, a reboot of the 1988 film.

2019: Legion

In 2019, Legion was released.

2020: Hosting Independent Spirit Awards

In 2020, Aubrey Plaza hosted the Independent Spirit Awards.

2020: Roles in Happiest Season and Black Bear

In 2020, Aubrey Plaza played Riley Johnson in Happiest Season and produced and starred in Black Bear, receiving critical acclaim.

2020: Black Bear and Happiest Season

In 2020, Black Bear and Happiest Season were released.

2021: Directorial Debut and Children's Book Release

In 2021, Aubrey Plaza made her directorial debut with "Quiet Illness" on Cinema Toast and released The Legend of the Christmas Witch, a children's book.

2021: Calls

In 2021, Calls was released.

August 25, 2022: Premiere of Little Demon

On August 25, 2022, Little Demon, an adult animated sitcom featuring Aubrey Plaza, Danny DeVito, and Lucy DeVito, premiered on FXX.

2022: Starring in Emily the Criminal

In 2022, Aubrey Plaza starred in and produced the crime film Emily the Criminal, playing the title character.

2022: Emily the Criminal, Little Demon and The White Lotus

In 2022, Emily the Criminal, Little Demon and The White Lotus were released.

January 2023: Hosted Saturday Night Live

In January 2023, Aubrey Plaza hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time and appeared in multiple sketches.

2023: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

In 2023, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was released.

September 18, 2024: Agatha All Along premiere

On September 18, 2024, Aubrey Plaza portrayed witch Rio Vidal in the Disney+ miniseries Agatha All Along, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which premiered.