Aubrey Plaza’s filmmaker husband Jeff Baena dies suddenly aged 47
Warning: This article has references to suicide and may be distressing for some readers
Hollywood filmmaker Jeff Baena has died suddenly at age 47.
Baena, who was married to White Lotus actress Aubrey Plaza, was found dead by an assistant on Friday morning (UST) at his home in the Los Angeles area, TMZ reports.
Police sources told the outlet that police and the fire department responded to the home at around 10.30am for a death investigation.
The director was pronounced dead at the scene with authorities reportedly treating his death as a suicide, according to TMZ.
Social media users responded to news of Baena’s death online.
“Oh god, I hope she’s ok,” one person wrote, referring to Plaza.
“What horrific news,” another X user said.
“Prayers with Aubrey Plaza, and all those who knew and loved Baena.”
“Wow. Very young,” a third wrote.
“Awful. Sending my condolences,” another social media user posted.
Baena was best known for directing films such as the horror comedy Life After Beth (2014) and the 2017 comedy-drama The Little Hours.
Baena and Plaza, 40, — who shot to fame in the sitcom Parks and Recreation — started dating in 2011.
The couple never announced their engagement or wedding, but in May 2021, Plaza referred to Baena as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post.
“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble,” the caption said.
A representative later confirmed to People that the couple had tied the knot.
Baena was born and raised in Miami and later attended film school at New York University. The late star moved to Los Angeles after graduation and began a career in entertainment, the New York Post reports.
The screenwriter has more than a dozen directing and film credits to his name.
He co-wrote four screenplays, including the 2004 cult favourite I Heart Huckabees, starring Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin.
Along with Plaza, Baena is survived by his mother Barbara Stern and stepfather Roger Stern, dad Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena and stepsister and stepbrother Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION
Where to get help:
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111