Jeff Baena, a renowned writer and director, and husband of actress Aubrey Plaza, has passed away at the age of 47. According to reports, Baena was found unresponsive at a Los Angeles-area home on Friday, January 3. Law enforcement sources confirmed that his death was ruled a suicide.
The tragic discovery was made by an assistant around 10:30 a.m. local time. Baena, known for his unique storytelling and creative vision, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passing has left the entertainment industry and fans, including Aubrey Plaza, in shock and mourning.
Baena, born and raised in Miami, pursued his passion for filmmaking at New York University before relocating to Los Angeles to embark on his career. He gained early acclaim as the co-writer of the 2004 film I Heart Huckabees, which featured Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, and Naomi Watts.
In 2014, Baena made his directorial debut with Life After Beth, a zombie comedy starring Aubrey Plaza. The film marked the beginning of a series of collaborations between Baena and Plaza, highlighting their shared creativity and deep partnership.
Their professional synergy continued with Cinema Toast, an anthology series Baena created in 2021, which aired on Showtime. The project also marked Aubrey Plaza’s directorial debut, showcasing the couple’s mutual passion for pushing creative boundaries.
Baena and Aubrey Plaza began dating in 2011, maintaining a remarkably private relationship. They surprised fans in May 2021 when Plaza referred to Baena as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post, revealing their marriage. “So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to Italia to cause some more trouble,” she wrote.
The couple often appeared at public events together, including the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival for the screening of The Little Hours and Lisa Edelstein’s birthday party in 2016.
Jeff Baena’s untimely death is a devastating loss to those who knew him personally and admired his work. Aubrey Plaza, who frequently celebrated Baena’s achievements, has yet to issue a public statement, but fans around the world are expressing their support and condolences during this difficult time.