Aubrey Plaza on the Unlikely Star Who Shaped Her Path

For a while, Aubrey Plaza was everywhere online, her offbeat style and dry wit making her a favourite among millennials. Her turn as April in Parks and Recreation cemented her as a household name, with that deadpan delivery and a knack for taking the mickey out of just about anything. As the years rolled on, she popped up in all sorts of projects, from the quirky Scott Pilgrim vs the World to the intense Black Bear. On telly, she made a splash in The White Lotus, earning plenty of praise from critics and punters alike.

But Plaza’s not one to shy away from a role that’s a bit on the nose. Take Dirty Grandpa, for example—a film that’s copped a fair bit of flak for its crude gags and questionable taste. Sharing the screen with Robert De Niro, she found herself in a flick many reckon is best forgotten. Critics didn’t hold back, calling it one of the worst films going around. Still, Plaza seems to have a clear idea of what she’s doing, even when the projects are a bit dodgy.

Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places

What’s interesting is who Plaza looks up to. She’s drawn to an actor who’s made a name for himself in some pretty average comedies, but who’s also shown he can pull off a serious role when it counts. It’s not the sort of choice you’d expect, but for Plaza, it makes perfect sense. She’s a big fan of Adam Sandler.

In a chat with Vanity Fair, Plaza explained how Sandler’s career gave her a bit of a blueprint.

“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.”

Sandler’s known for his slapstick comedies—think The Wedding Singer, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore. So when he landed the lead in a Paul Thomas Anderson film, plenty of folks were left scratching their heads. But he surprised everyone, turning in a performance that showed he was more than just a bloke for a cheap laugh.

Mixing Comedy with Drama

Sandler’s notched up a few more serious roles since then, like in Uncut Gems, proving he’s got more range than most give him credit for. Plaza got the chance to work with him back in 2009 on Funny People, a film that didn’t exactly set the box office alight. Still, the two hit it off and have stayed mates, even interviewing each other a few years back.

For Plaza, Sandler’s ability to jump between silly comedies and proper dramatic work is what sets him apart. He might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of acting heavyweights, but for her, he’s the ultimate example of how to keep things interesting and not get boxed in.