The Cause of Director Jeff Baena's Death Has Been Revealed

 Los Angeles officials have provided additional information regarding the death of director Jeff Baena, who was married to Aubrey Plaza.

Director Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza's Husband, Dead at 47

Jan 05, 2025 7:14 AM

More details have emerged regarding the death of director Jeff Baena, the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza. The 47-year-old, who was also a screenwriter, passed away by suicide, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, reviewed by E! News. Baena was found dead on January 3 at a residence in the city.

A graduate of New York University's film school, Baena frequently collaborated with Plaza, who starred in his films Life After Beth (his 2014 directorial debut), Joshy, The Little Hours, and Spin Me Round. Baena was also known for co-writing the 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees alongside director David O. Russell.

Baena and Plaza, 40, first met in 2011 and married in 2020. Plaza confirmed their marriage in 2021, during the making of Spin Me Round, sharing that they tied the knot at their Los Angeles home. “So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena,” Plaza wrote on Instagram in May 2021, “for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble.” Months later, she revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that they had gotten married through a same-day marriage license service after she jokingly suggested it on their 10-year anniversary. “We got married and I'll tell you how—1hourmarriage.com,” she said, explaining the spontaneous nature of their ceremony during the lockdown.

Baena is survived by his mother, Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, stepsister Bianca Gabay, and stepbrother Jed Fluxman, as confirmed by his manager in a statement to E! News.

Reflecting on their relationship timeline:

• 2011: Early Romance
  While they kept the details of their early romance private, Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011 after meeting through a game of Balderdash. They bonded over their shared passion for movies. Plaza explained in 2017, “We’re so obsessed with movies…that’s why we’re making movies together.”

• 2014: First Collaboration
  Three years into their relationship, they collaborated for the first time on Life After Beth, which marked Baena’s directorial debut.

• 2019: Life Together in the Industry
  Although they generally kept their relationship out of the public eye, Plaza shared in 2019 that having a partner in the entertainment industry brought a unique understanding. “When you’re with someone that is in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level,” she told People. She also acknowledged the challenges of working together, noting that balance was key.

• 2021: Confirmation of Marriage
  After ten years together, Plaza confirmed their marriage in May 2021, expressing her pride in Baena’s creativity and their upcoming film project Spin Me Round.

• 2022: Jeff on Their Partnership
  Baena expressed deep admiration for his wife in 2022, calling her "awesome" on the Reel Talker podcast. “I’d be working with her if she wasn’t my wife, but luckily she is my wife,” he said, emphasizing the rarity of being creatively fulfilled together.

• 2022: Their Final Film Together
  Baena and Plaza’s final film collaboration was Spin Me Round in 2022. Over the course of their 14-year relationship, they also worked together on The Little Hours and Joshy.

Baena’s death marks the tragic end of a shared creative journey with Plaza.