Filmmaker Jeff Baena, who was married to Aubrey Plaza, dies by suicide at 47; tributes pour in on social media

Jeff Baena, a writer and director and husband of actress Aubrey Plaza, has sadly passed away at the age of 47. His death was confirmed after his body was found at their Los Angeles-area home by an assistant. Authorities have ruled it a suicide, a People report confirmed.

Jeff Baena dies by suicide at 47

The report added that Jeff's body was found by an assistant at his Los Angeles-area home around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 3, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death has been confirmed as suicide by hanging, according to law enforcement officials.

Aubrey Plaza's reps respond

Although Aubrey hasn't spoken publicly about her husband's passing, her representatives released a statement to Deadline on Saturday. "The family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time,¡± the statement read.

Jeff and Aubrey had been together since 2011 and got married in 2021, keeping their relationship largely private. He was known for his work on films like Life After Beth, The Little Hours, and Horse Girl, often collaborating with Aubrey and Alison Brie.

Aubrey Plaza revealed her marriage to Jeff Baena in an Instagram post. In it, she congratulated him on his work, Spin Me Round, affectionately referring to him as her "darling husband."

View this post on Instagram

Tributes pour in for Jeff Baena

The heartbreaking news is still sinking in, and fans are flooding social media with tributes and condolences for the talented director and writer.

"Jeff Baena was a truly unique artistic voice, and our world is poorer without him in it. His co-writing credit for I Heart Huckabees is what I will remember him most fondly by¡ªI attribute him with injecting the characters and dialogue with such specific offbeat rhythms," one user wrote on X.

Jeff Baena was a truly unique artistic voice, and our world is poorer without him in it. his cowriting credit for i heart huckabees is what i will remember him most fondly by - i attribute him with injecting the characters and dialogue with such specific offbeat rhythms pic.twitter.com/FEZGB4GUgx

¡ª Guy Who Just Wanted to Listen to Perry Como (@Douggernaut_2) January 4, 2025

We all know how important Jeff has always been to Aubrey and the great love they have had for each other for 14 years. I hope Aubrey knows how strong she is, and I send her all the love in the world. respect her

we all know how important Jeff has always been to Aubrey and the great love they have had for each other for 14 years. i hope Aubrey knows how strong she is and I send her all the love in the world. respect her ?? pic.twitter.com/2RDOawnvy6

¡ª ?aubrey plaza¡¯s wife (@omwromanoff) January 4, 2025

A third wrote, "Aubrey was always so, so private about her relationship with Jeff; they were together for so long and built so much together. I hope she's surrounded by all the love possible, and I hope if Jeff was struggling, he¡¯s at peace now. <3

aubrey was always so so private about her relationship with jeff, they were together for so long and built so much together. i hope shes surrounded by all the love possible and i hope if jeff was struggling, he¡¯s at peace now <3 pic.twitter.com/wbCTF3xZvB

¡ª m (@bigIttIeIies) January 4, 2025

Absolutely devastating news regarding Aubrey Plaza; I hope she finds moments of solace in this unspeakably difficult time. Jeff¡¯s unique satirical take on movies should be studied in film schools if it isn¡¯t already. What a devastating loss.

Absolutely devastating news regarding Aubrey Plaza, I hope she finds moments of solace in this unspeakably difficult time. Jeff¡¯s unique satirical take on movies should be studied in film schools if it isn¡¯t already. What a devastating loss.
R. I. P. pic.twitter.com/P0EIGFBRJc

¡ª Nectar of the Gods (@AlexGrantxo) January 4, 2025

More about Jeff Baena

Jeff Baena was born and raised in Miami and later pursued his passion for film by attending New York University's film school. After graduating, he relocated to Los Angeles to start his career in the entertainment industry, per People.

Jeff had over a dozen directing and writing credits. One of his earliest notable works was co-writing the 2004 film I Heart Huckabees, which featured a star-studded cast including Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, and Naomi Watts. He later made his directorial debut with the 2014 zombie comedy Life After Beth, which he also wrote, starring his wife, Aubrey.

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