Los Angeles, California E! News learned that a record through the Los Angeles medical examiner confirms that writer-director Jeff Baena took his own life. Baena is a 47-year-old married filmmaker to an actress Aubrey Plaza. He was found dead in a house in Los Angeles, California Friday.
Baena was known for his darkly comedic independent films, including “The Little Hours,” and his frequent creative collaborations with Aubrey Plaza. He co-wrote David O. Russell’s 2004 film “I Heart Huckabees” and directed five films of his own, four of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Baena had been dating Baena for three years when she appeared in his 2014 directorial debut, the zombie comedy “Life After Beth.” His follow-up film, 2016’s “Joshy,” starred Thomas Middleditch as a man reconnecting with friends months after his fiancée’s suicide.
Born in Miami and raised there, Jeff Baena enrolled in New York University’s film school to pursue his passion in filmmaking. After that, he would move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film and entertainment business.
His additional directing credits include the 2022 dark comedy “Spin Me Round,” co-written with Allison Brie, who also starred in the film, and the 2020 psychological drama “Horse Girl,” another collaboration with Brie. Baena’s dramedy “Joshy” starred an outstanding ensemble cast including Adam Pally, Nick Kroll, and Thomas Middleditch.
He was also a member of “I Heart Huckabees,” a comedy adaptation by David O. Russell of existential themes in 2004. His films were shown in film festivals like Sundance and South by Southwest and were eventually sold to companies like Netflix, IFC, and Lionsgate.
Baena is survived by his wife, Aubrey Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, and stepmother Michele Baena.
