Jeff Baena, Acclaimed Director and Aubrey Plaza's Husband, Passes Away at 47

Jeff Baena

Jeff Baena, the talented writer and director known for films like Life After Beth and The Little Hours, has died at age 47. The news was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Baena passed away at his Los Angeles home on Friday. While the cause of death remains under review, his loss is deeply felt in both the entertainment industry and his personal circle. Baena was married to actor and comedian Aubrey Plaza, with whom he shared a creative partnership spanning several projects.

The couple’s collaborations included the 2014 horror-comedy Life After Beth, the 2017 historical satire The Little Hours, and more recent works like the 2021 comedy series Cinema Toast and the 2022 feature film Spin Me Round. The latter two also featured Alison Brie, another frequent collaborator of Baena’s, who starred in his 2020 drama Horse Girl.

Beyond his work with Plaza, Baena was celebrated for co-writing the 2004 cult classic I Heart Huckabees alongside David O. Russell. His other directorial efforts include the dramedy Joshy in 2016.

Born and raised in Miami, Baena was a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. After moving to Los Angeles, he cut his teeth in the industry as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis and later as an assistant editor for David O. Russell, with whom he collaborated on Huckabees.

Baena often reflected on his gratitude for his career opportunities. In a 2022 interview with Reel Talker, he shared his love for filmmaking and the joy of working with Plaza. “She’s amazing. I’d work with her even if she weren’t my wife, but luckily she is,” he said. “The connection we share creatively and personally is incredibly rare.”

Plaza previously spoke about how their bond strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic, telling People that the time spent together during quarantine was meaningful despite the global challenges. The couple, who had been together since 2011, married privately in 2021.

Baena is survived by Plaza, his parents, stepparents, and several siblings. His innovative storytelling and passion for filmmaking leave an enduring legacy in Hollywood and beyond.