Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About the Heartbreaking Loss of Husband Jeff Baena
Aubrey Plaza Opens Up About the Heartbreaking Loss of Husband Jeff Baena.
The couple first worked together on Life After Beth
Aubrey Plaza and her husband Jeff Baena's family are mourning his unexpected death, calling it an "unimaginable tragedy." The talented filmmaker was found dead at just 47 years old.
The sad news broke on Friday, and the Los Angeles County medical examiner later confirmed that Jeff had died by suicide.
His body was located at a home near the Fern Dell Nature Trail, not far from the Hollywood Hills.
In a statement to the press, Aubrey and Jeff's family shared their sorrow and expressed gratitude to everyone who has offered their support.
"This is an unimaginable tragedy," they said. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."
Jeff was a well-respected writer and director, celebrated for his distinct style in indie films. He first made waves in 2004 when he co-wrote I Heart Huckabees, a comedy featuring stars like Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman, and Mark Wahlberg. However, it was his work with Aubrey that truly solidified his reputation in the film industry.
Their first collaboration was on Life After Beth, a 2014 horror-comedy where Aubrey took the lead. They followed that up with The Little Hours in 2017, a historical comedy boasting a fantastic cast that included Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and John C. Reilly. Jeff also wrote and directed the psychological thriller Horse Girl in 2020 and the dark comedy Spin Me Round in 2022, both starring Alison.
Their creative bond went beyond just movies. Jeff created Cinema Toast, a quirky anthology series where Aubrey not only acted but also directed alongside Alison.
Aubrey and Jeff had been together for over ten years before they tied the knot in 2021. They met around 2011, and in an interview, Aubrey mentioned that their wedding was a spur-of-the-moment decision. During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she revealed that they "got a little bored one night" during the COVID pandemic and decided to make it official after celebrating their decade together.
"We just kind of found this wedding officiant online, and I created a very quick love altar in our yard," she recalled with a smile at the time.
The heartbreaking news of Jeff’s death hit just days before the Golden Globe Awards, where Aubrey was set to present. It was totally understandable that she didn’t show up, and the industry quickly came together to support her.
During the event, filmmaker Brady Corbet, who snagged the Best Director award for The Brutalist, took a moment to express his sympathy. "My heart goes out to Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family," he shared on stage.
The tragic loss of Jeff Baena has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. As a talented filmmaker, his work touched many, but it’s his connection with Aubrey Plaza that made his legacy even more meaningful. Their shared journey, both in life and creativity, was cut short far too soon.
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As his family and friends grieve, they find comfort in the outpouring of support, but the pain of such an unexpected loss is immeasurable. In this time of sorrow, they ask for privacy to mourn and honor his memory.
If anyone is feeling overwhelmed, there’s help out there. The Samaritans helpline is available 24/7 at 116 123, and you can find more resources at samaritans.org.
