Hollywood is mourning the loss of filmmaker Jeff Baena, who tragically died by suicide at the Los Angeles home he shared with his wife, actress Aubrey Plaza.
The 47-year-old director was found deceased on Friday, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirming his death was caused by hanging at their Los Feliz property.
Baena’s body was discovered by an assistant in the home the couple purchased in 2022. Emergency responders arrived at the scene at 10:25 a.m., where he was pronounced dead. His family released a statement expressing their devastation and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
A Quiet Life Together: The Couple’s Journey
Baena and Plaza, who tied the knot in 2020 after nearly a decade together, kept much of their relationship out of the public eye. They were last seen together on a hike at Griffith Park in July 2024, sharing a relaxed moment six months before his untimely death.
The filmmaker, best known for directing Life After Beth and The Little Hours, carved out a respected career in Hollywood. A graduate of NYU’s film program, Baena worked his way up from low-level jobs with directors like Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell before establishing himself as a writer and director.
His work included films such as I Heart Huckabees, Joshy, and Horse Girl, many of which premiered at Sundance and earned critical acclaim. Baena also explored television, directing and producing Showtime’s Cinema Toast, a project he co-directed with Plaza.
A Legacy Marked by Creativity and Advocacy
Baena was candid about mental health, discussing his family’s struggles and their influence on his storytelling. His 2020 film Horse Girl, co-written with Alison Brie, delved into themes of mental illness, drawing inspiration from personal experiences, including his stepmother’s battle with bipolar disorder.
Plaza has not publicly commented on her husband’s passing but shared glimpses of their relationship in past interviews. In a 2021 Instagram post, she expressed pride in Baena’s creative vision, celebrating their collaborative work on Spin Me Round. The couple’s love story included spontaneous backyard nuptials during the COVID-19 pandemic, a moment Plaza described as deeply personal and symbolic.
The Aftermath and Moving Forward
Baena’s death comes just days before Plaza was scheduled to present at the 2025 Golden Globes. It is unlikely she will attend, given the timing of this heartbreaking loss. Fans and colleagues have taken to social media to share their condolences and celebrate Baena’s contributions to the film industry.
The filmmaker is survived by Plaza, his mother Barbra Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, and step-siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
As Hollywood grapples with this loss, Baena’s work and advocacy for mental health will remain a poignant part of his legacy.
Plaza on Love and Relationships
Months before Baena’s tragic passing, Plaza discussed her relationship during a September 2024 interview on The Howard Stern Show. She shared her thoughts on avoiding relationships with actors, joking, “I would stay away [from dating actors]. I’m married to a writer/director. I’ve never, like, really dated an actor [or] been with an actor for a long time.”
Reflecting further, she added, “I think about that and I think, like, ‘Oh, God, I don’t want to be with myself’ or, ‘I don’t want to do that.’ But then, sometimes, I see there are so many actor couples and you’re, like, ‘Wow, look at them. They must really laugh it up.’”
A devastating Loss
The loss of Jeff Baena has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. His talent and contributions to film will be remembered, but his sudden and tragic passing has left many in mourning. Fans and colleagues alike are grappling with the news, while Plaza’s silence speaks volumes about the depth of her grief.
As more details emerge, the focus remains on the legacy Baena leaves behind. He was a director, a husband, and a creative visionary. Above all, he was a man whose presence will be deeply missed.
