On January 4, People magazine reported that Jeff Baena had been found dead in his Los Angeles home the previous morning. It was discovered by an acquaintance visiting the house, who discovered that Baena had taken his own life.
Jeff Baena was the husband of famous actress Aubrey Plaza. The couple, who started dating in 2011, married in 2021. They had not publicly announced their engagement or wedding, and it was only revealed when Aubrey Plaza referred to Baena as her “beloved husband” on her account on social media in May 2021.
After studying film at New York University, Jeff Baena moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis and as an assistant editor for writer-director David O. Russell. He co-wrote “I Heart Huckabees,” a film nominated for the 2004 Gotham Award for Best Picture. Baena made his directorial debut with “Life After Beth”, released in 2014 and also written by himself.
The writer-director was also known for works such as “The Little Hours,” “Joshy,” “Horse Girl” and “Spin Me Round.”
Meanwhile, Jeff Baena’s wife, Aubrey Plaza, is best known for her roles in “Parks and Recreation” and “The White Lotus.” She and Baena have collaborated on several projects, fostering both a personal and artistic partnership. In 2021, Baena supported Plaza’s directorial debut with the episode “Quiet Illness” of the Showtime anthology series “Cinema Toast,” highlighting their mutual growth as creative partners.
Jeff Baena is survived by his parents, stepparents, siblings and step-siblings.
Addressing her husband’s death, Aubrey Plaza expressed her grief in a joint statement with Baena’s family, describing her as “an unimaginable tragedy”.
