Jeff Baena, the 47-year-old film director, screenwriter, and husband of actress and producer Aubrey Plaza, was found dead at a residence in Los Angeles on Friday, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed. The cause of his death is currently unknown. Baena was best known for films such as Life After Beth (2014), Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017), Horse Girl (2020), and Spin Me Round (2022). He also co-wrote I Heart Huckabees (2004), which was nominated for the Gotham Award for Best Feature.
Baena married Aubrey Plaza in 2021. After completing his studies at NYU Film School, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in filmmaking. He began his career as a production assistant for director Robert Zemeckis and later worked as an assistant editor for David O. Russell.
In 2014, Baena made his directorial debut with Life After Beth, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. His next film, Joshy, also premiered at Sundance in 2016, where it was nominated for the same award. Baena continued to make a mark with films like The Little Hours (2017), which was nominated for the Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Horse Girl (2020), which premiered at Sundance and was released on Netflix. His latest film, Spin Me Round (2022), premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival and was later released by IFC Films.
Jeff Baena is survived by his wife, Aubrey Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, and his stepsiblings, Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time as they mourn his loss.
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Jeff Baena was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for his distinctive style in both comedy and drama. Born in 1977, Baena gained early recognition as the co-writer of the 2004 film I Heart Huckabees, which earned critical praise and a nomination for the Gotham Award for Best Feature.
He made his directorial debut in 2014 with Life After Beth, a dark comedy that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Baena continued to build his career with films such as Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017), Horse Girl (2020), and Spin Me Round (2022). His films often explored quirky, offbeat characters and themes, blending humor with existential questions.
Baena married actress and producer Aubrey Plaza in 2021. He was born in 1977 and passed away in 2025 at the age of 47. His work remains influential in independent cinema, and he is remembered for his unique voice in modern filmmaking.
Aubrey Plaza is an American actress, comedian, and producer, best known for her role as the deadpan and sarcastic April Ludgate on the hit television series Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). Born on June 26, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware, Plaza began her career in comedy as a sketch performer and later gained fame with her distinctive, dry humor.
Before Parks and Recreation, she appeared in various TV shows and films, including The Jeannie Tate Show and Funny People (2009). Her career flourished after Parks and Recreation, with Plaza starring in a range of films, from indie comedies like Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) to darker roles in Black Bear (2020), showcasing her versatility.
Plaza has also appeared in films like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), Life After Beth (2014), and Ingrid Goes West (2017), the latter of which earned her widespread critical acclaim for her performance. Known for her offbeat and quirky persona, she also co-produces and stars in various projects.
In 2021, Plaza married filmmaker Jeff Baena, with whom she frequently collaborates. Outside her acting career, she is recognized for her advocacy and strong social media presence.