Jeff Baena: Medical Examiner Confirms Filmmaker and Husband of Actress Aubrey Plaza Died by Suicide | Entertainment & Arts News
The spouse of American actress Aubrey Plaza, filmmaker Jeff Baena, has reportedly taken his own life, as confirmed by a medical examiner.
At 10:39 AM on Friday, Baena, 47, was declared dead at a residence located near the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz areas in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner has indicated that his remains will be returned to his family.
Baena, who was a director and screenwriter, collaborated with Parks And Recreation actress Plaza on the 2014 horror film Life After Beth as well as the 2017 historical comedy The Little Hours.
The couple began their relationship around 2011 and tied the knot in 2021.
Pic: AP
Plaza recounted on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that she and Baena “got a little bored one night” during the COVID pandemic and chose to get married after celebrating their 10th anniversary.
She mentioned that after discovering a wedding officiant online, they set up a “very quick love altar in our yard” for the ceremony.
Pic: AP
Baena was the writer and director of the 2020 thriller Horse Girl, featuring Alison Brie, and the 2022 dark comedy Spin Me Round.
He also co-wrote the comedy I Heart Huckabees in 2004 alongside David O Russell, which had a notable cast including Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts, Lily Tomlin, and Mark Wahlberg.
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Baena was the creator of the anthology comedy series Cinema Toast, which featured an episode directed by Plaza and another starring Community actress Brie.
On X, actor and comedian Marc Maron expressed his sorrow, stating: “Very sad about the tragic loss of a true artist and sweet guy.”
The Sundance Film Festival, where Baena’s debut film Life After Beth premiered in 2014, expressed their gratitude: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jeff Baena for sharing his stories and contributing to the lasting memories we’ve built together.
“Jeff, we’ll miss your wit, humor, and daring vision. Rest in peace, friend.”
Prior to her husband’s passing, Plaza was announced as a presenter at the Golden Globes ceremony scheduled for Sunday.
She earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2023 for her performance in the second season of HBO’s dark comedy White Lotus and is well-known for her roles in the Disney+ series Agatha All Along, as well as films like Megalopolis, My Old Ass, Ingrid Goes West, Dirty Grandpa, and Emily The Criminal.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that they responded to the location where Baena died and indicated a coroner will handle the investigation.
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