Jeff Baena, known screenwriter and director, and Aubrey Plaza's husband since 2021, was found dead at a Los Angeles house by an assistant on Friday, January 3, 2025. He was 47. While no extensive information surrounding his death has been confirmed by his family or authorities, TMZ reports that law enforcement ruled his death as a suicide. However, his official cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
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At around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, an assistant found Baena's unresponsive body. Law enforcement officers then assessed the situation and declared him dead at the scene. According to Deadline, Baena's family is devastated by the news of his passing. They have asked for privacy during this heartbreaking time.
Baena is survived by his wife, Aubrey Plaza, his mother Barbara Sterna, his stepfather Roger Stern, his father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, his brother Brad Baena, and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
As the news of Baena's passing broke, many of Aubrey Plaza's followers took to her social media accounts to express their condolences to the actress and comedian. "I send my condolences Aubrey I love you so much," one user wrote on Aubrey Plaza's latest Instagram post. "I will pray for you and your husband Aubrey," a second user said. A third one said: "Sending you my deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved husband. Praying for you and your family."
Remembering Jeff Baena
Born in Miami, Florida, in 1977, Jeff Baena began his career in entertainment as a production assistant to Robert Zemeckis after moving to Los Angeles. Previously, he graduated from NYU Film School. He then worked for David O. Rusell as an assistant editor.
Baena is known for co-writing I Heart Huckabees and for directing Life After Beth, a zombie comedy film in 2014, which he also wrote. The latter was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize, with the former being nominated for a Gotham Award. He would then write and direct Joshy, The Little Hours, and Horse Girl. In 2022, he directed, wrote, and produced Spin Me Round.
Jeff Baena met Aubrey Plaza in 2011. In a 2021 Instagram post, it was revealed that the couple had married behind the scenes.
