Aubrey Plaza’s Husband Jeff Baena Found Dead by Suicide at 47

Aubrey Plaza is mourning the loss of her husband, acclaimed writer and director Jeff Baena, who has tragically passed away at the age of 47 in his Los Angeles residence. His lifeless body was discovered by an assistant on January 3 around 10:30 a.m., and authorities have stated that the cause of death is suicide.

Born and raised in Miami, Baena pursued his passion for film by studying at New York University and soon relocated to Los Angeles to embark on his career in the entertainment industry. He began as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis and later took on a role as an assistant editor for David O. Russell, the writer and director behind I Heart Huckabees. Following a minor car accident that left him with an eye injury, Baena engaged in story discussions with Russell, leading to valuable collaborations on numerous scripts.

Baena established himself as a respected indie filmmaker, directing several notable films including Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl, and Spin Me Round. He further showcased his creativity by conceptualizing and producing an innovative television series, Cinema Toast, which creatively reimagined public domain footage.

The relationship between Baena and Plaza began in 2011, and they largely chose to keep their partnership private. Fans of the Parks and Recreation star only became aware of their marriage when she affectionately referred to him as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post, expressing pride in his latest film project.

As of now, Plaza has not made any public statements regarding Baena’s untimely death. He is survived by his wife, his mother Barbara Stern, his father Scott Baena, stepfather Roger Stern, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, and his step-siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman. The entertainment community has lost a talented voice, and Baena’s legacy will continue through his impactful work in film.