The “Really Dirty” Audition That Made Aubrey Plaza a Racy Comedy Icon: “Totally Insane”
Aubrey Plaza successfully transitioned from the dry, deadpan humor of her early days to becoming a versatile actor who can hold her own alongside cinema legends. However, one of her most memorable career moves involved a level of commitment that left casting directors stunned and secured her a role opposite one of the greatest actors of all time.
The 2016 comedy Dirty Grandpa featured Plaza in a wildly provocative role as Lenore, a character who becomes the unlikely romantic pursuit of a grandfather played by Robert De Niro. The plot follows a chaotic road trip involving De Niro and a high-strung corporate lawyer played by Zac Efron.
Throughout the film, Plaza’s character is relentlessly forward, making lewd advances toward the older man that eventually lead to an unexpected marriage and a child by the film’s conclusion.
To land such a bold part, Plaza knew she had to deliver a performance that went far beyond a standard table read. During a 2016 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the actress recounted the “really dirty” tactics she employed during the audition process. She realized that the chance to play a love interest for a legend like De Niro was a rare opportunity that required an all-or-nothing approach.
Plaza admitted that she formulated her plan while still working on the final days of Parks and Recreation. She decided that simply reading the lines wouldn’t be enough to capture Lenore’s aggressive s*******. It’s just like, when will I get an opportunity to play De Niro’s love interest ever? So, I just was like, ‘I’m doing it’ she told Meyers, explaining her mindset at the time.
In a move that perfectly blended her dedication to the craft with a touch of absurdity, she even enlisted the help of her professional makeup team before heading to the audition. I even had the Parks and Rec makeup department put makeup on my – ‘Just make sure my butt looks good’, she joked. She had decided that she was going to follow through with a scripted moment of flashing the casting directors to prove she was fearless enough for the film’s raunchy tone.
When she finally walked into the room, she completely abandoned the traditional audition format. And then I just went there, and I just threw the script out and just sat, looked into the camera and said a bunch of really dirty things, then I flashed them, and then I left, and then I got it, she concluded. This daring strategy not only landed her the job but established her as an actor willing to do whatever it takes to inhabit a character.
As of early 2026, Aubrey Plaza’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down as she continues to balance indie darlings with major blockbusters. She recently received critical acclaim for her leading role in the dark comedy Honey Don’t!, directed by Ethan Coen, where she stars alongside Margaret Qualley and Chris Evans.
Fans are also eagerly anticipating her performance in the upcoming live-action and animation hybrid Animal Friends, which features an ensemble cast including Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, scheduled for a June 2026 release.
In addition to her film work, Plaza has been expanding her presence in the world of television and streaming. Outside of acting, she has been active as a producer through her company, Evil Hag Productions, focusing on bringing unique and female-driven stories to the screen. Her recent public appearances have showcased a refined fashion sense, cementing her status as a red-carpet staple at major film festivals like Cannes and Sundance.
Between her high-concept dramatic roles and her penchant for subversive comedy, Plaza has cultivated one of the most unpredictable and exciting careers in Hollywood today. Whether she is terrifying Robert De Niro or commanding a room in a Coppola epic, she remains a singular talent who refuses to be pigeonholed.
Do you think a bold, unscripted stunt in an audition room is a stroke of genius or a risky move that could backfire for a professional actor? share your thoughts in the comments!
