LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jeff Baena, the writer-director known for his darkly comedic indie films such as The Little Hours and his collaborations with wife Aubrey Plaza, has passed away at the age of 47.
Baena was found dead on Friday morning at a home in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death remains unclear, with an investigation ongoing. A full report will be available once the case is concluded.
In addition to his own films, Baena co-wrote David O. Russell’s 2004 film I Heart Huckabees. He directed and wrote five films, four of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Baena had been in a relationship with Plaza for three years before she starred in his 2014 zombie comedy Life After Beth. His 2016 film Joshy centered on a man (played by Thomas Middleditch) who reunites with friends months after his fiancée’s suicide. Born in Miami to an attorney and a teacher, Baena attended New York University’s film school. He credited his passion for cinema to films like Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2. “I was always drawn to left-of-center things,” he shared in a 2019 interview.
Baena expressed his admiration for working with Plaza, who appeared in four of his films. Plaza, who became widely known for her role as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation, was nominated for an Emmy for her role in The White Lotus. The couple married in 2021.
“I’m really lucky. She’s down and so talented,” Baena said of his wife. “The opportunities to create together, to do something creative where we’re both fulfilled—it’s so rare.”
Baena is survived by Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
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