American filmmaker Jeff Baena, married to Aubrey Plaza, passes away at 47

Jeff Baena, a distinguished American filmmaker known for his work on dark comedies such as Life After Beth and The Little Hours, passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 47. His body was discovered at his residence in Los Angeles.

CBS News received confirmation from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office that he died. Baena committed suicide, according to the coroner's office.

Baena was married to actress Aubrey Plaza, who is recognized for her roles in The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation. After over a decade together, the couple married in 2021. Their joint projects, Spin Me Round and Life After Beth, showed their respect and artistic synergy.

Born in Miami on June 29, 1977, Baena became passionate about movies early on. After graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, he sought a career in movies, working on well-known projects like I Heart Huckabees, and later oversaw critically praised independent films. The sudden death of this person marks the lack of a significant voice in modern film production.

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American filmmaker Jeff Baena's body was discovered at his residence in Los Angeles

An outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues has been the result of the sudden death of Jeff Baena, which has raised many questions. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, Baena's death was determined to be suicide.

Although the investigation is ongoing, preliminary reports indicate the tragedy occurred in his Los Angeles home. CBS News confirmed the coroner's findings, but Baena representatives declined to comment.

Baena's assistant reportedly discovered him at his residence, which prompted an immediate response from authorities. His personal life was largely private, which left fans shocked by the tragic development despite his films frequently exploring themes of humor and despair.

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Jeff Baena and his relationship with Aubrey Plaza

Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza's decade-long relationship began in 2011, culminating in a private backyard wedding in 2021 on their tenth anniversary.

On The Ellen Show, Plaza described their partnership as a rare and fulfilling creative union. She appeared in many of Baena’s films, including Life After Beth and The Little Hours, showcasing their shared artistic vision.

Plaza, a celebrated actress known for her versatility, spoke fondly of their impromptu wedding during an appearance on The Ellen Show. She said it was an unplanned event in their backyard while they were staying inside because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaza said:

"Ten years of being together led to the wedding. I just said 'It's our 10-year anniversary, we should do something, get an ice cream cone, you know, do something special. And then I joked about getting married and he's like 'Well, we probably couldn't get married that fast."

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Everything to know about Jeff Baena

Jeff Baena was born in Miami, Florida, on June 29, 1977. He comes from a secular Jewish family. In an interview on Fresh Fiction, he shared his love for movies since he was 11. After seeing A Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick and 8½ by Federico Fellini, he immediately became a big fan of movies. Because he loved making movies, he got his degree at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Jeff Baena began his career helping Robert Zemeckis on Cast Away as a production assistant. Later, he co-wrote David O. Russell's cult movie I Heart Huckabees, with an unusual storyline. His directorial debut was in 2014 with Life After Beth, starring Aubrey Plaza. His path in independent films began with this Sundance Film Festival premiere.

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Baena has directed critically acclaimed films like Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017), Horse Girl (2020), and Spin Me Round (2022). His ability to blend dark humor with deep emotions made him stand out. Further enriching his filmography were his collaborations with actors such as Alison Brie, Molly Shannon, and Plaza.

Baena co-created Showtime’s Cinema Toast, an experimental series showcasing his inventive storytelling. His work often explored unconventional narratives, reflecting his love for “left-of-center” ideas.