Acclaimed filmmaker Jeff Baena, finest identified for his work on “Life After Beth” and “The Little Hours,” tragically handed away on the age of 47.
Legislation enforcement sources confirmed that police and fireplace officers responded to a dying investigation name round 10:30 AM on Friday after Baena’s assistant found him unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with authorities later confirming his reason behind dying as suicide.
Baena, who had been married to actress Aubrey Plaza since 2020, leaves behind a legacy of progressive filmmaking and a relationship that captured the hearts of many—but in addition sparked intense reactions from a few of Plaza’s most devoted followers.
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Aubrey Plaza And Jeff Baena Tie The Knot
Plaza and Baena started their relationship in 2011 and remained collectively till his premature passing in January 2025. The couple tied the knot in 2020 in the course of the top of the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrating their love in an intimate and uniquely private ceremony.
“I created a really fast love altar in our yard. Info of our love, little stones, smoke, fireplace. Issues of that nature,” Plaza shared in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. “Then the person from Alhambra confirmed up in a Hawaiian shirt with a briefcase [to perform the ceremony]. … I can’t bear in mind a number of it, it was fuzzy. However I’m fairly certain it’s authorized.”
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Jeff Baena Acquired Dying Threats Following His Wedding ceremony
Nevertheless, regardless of their evident love and devotion to one another, not all of Plaza’s followers supported the union. In a 2022 profile with Cosmopolitan, Plaza revealed the darker aspect of the general public’s response to their marriage.
“Oh my god. Jeff bought dying threats in his DMs,” Plaza shared. “Folks challenge a lot stuff onto marriage, nevertheless it wasn’t some large assertion I’m making an attempt to make the place I would like everyone to react to it.”
Many of those intense reactions reportedly stemmed from a few of Plaza’s bisexual followers mourning her transition from singlehood to married life.
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Inside Aubrey And Jeff’s Relationship
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena shared considered one of Hollywood’s longest and most non-public long-term romances, culminating in an ultra-secret wedding ceremony.
In line with People Magazine, Plaza and Baena first crossed paths in 2011. Whereas particulars about their early relationship stay scarce, a GQ profile of Plaza in 2022 revealed a captivating tidbit: the couple met over a sport of Balderdash. Their connection blossomed each romantically and professionally, leading to a artistic partnership that spanned over a decade.
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Plaza publicly expressed her admiration for Baena’s work on a number of events. In 2021, she shared a heartfelt Instagram submit celebrating her husband’s accomplishments. “So pleased with my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up one other movie that takes us to Italia to trigger some extra bother,” she wrote, referencing his movie Spin Me Spherical.
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A Look Again At Jeff Baena’s Profession
Baena was not simply Plaza’s husband however an achieved filmmaker, screenwriter, and director in his personal proper. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch Faculty of the Arts, he relocated to Los Angeles to launch his profession. He labored alongside business titans like Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell, contributing to movies comparable to “I Coronary heart Huckabees” and “Meet the Fockers” in 2004.
In 2014, Baena made his directorial debut with “Life After Beth,” a darkish comedy that starred Plaza herself. This marked the start of a artistic collaboration between the 2 that might proceed by means of “The Little Hours,” “Horse Lady,” and eventually, “Spin Me Spherical” in 2022.
Remembering The Late Director
Baena is survived by Plaza, his dad and mom, stepparents, and siblings.
As of now, Aubrey Plaza has not publicly commented on her husband’s passing, and followers all over the world have expressed their condolences and assist for the actress throughout this heartbreaking time.
Nevertheless, a assertion has been offered to Deadline on Saturday mentioned that “the household is devastated and asks for privateness at this troublesome time.”
If you happen to or somebody you understand is scuffling with ideas of suicide, please attain out to a disaster hotline in your space. Contact the Suicide and Disaster Lifeline at 988 without cost and confidential assist, out there 24/7.
