Jeff Baena, the writer-director behind quirky indie hits like “The Little Hours” and husband to actor Aubrey Plaza, has died at the age of 47. Baena was found unresponsive on Friday morning at a home in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Baena was a creative force in independent cinema, co-writing David O. Russell’s “I Heart Huckabees” and directing five films, four of which debuted at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. His directorial debut, “Life After Beth,” was a zombie comedy starring Plaza, whom he had been dating for three years prior. The couple tied the knot in 2021.
Originally from Miami, Baena developed a passion for filmmaking after discovering Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange” and Federico Fellini’s “8 ½” during his youth. He pursued his talent at New York University’s film school and became known for his offbeat storytelling style.
Beyond filmmaking, Baena cherished working with Plaza, who starred in four of his movies. In interviews, he described their collaboration as “amazing” and credited her talent for elevating his storytelling. Plaza herself gained fame on “Parks and Recreation” and recently earned an Emmy nomination for her role in “The White Lotus.”
A representative for Plaza shared that Baena is survived by his wife, his parents, step-parents, a sibling, and stepsiblings. The entertainment world mourns the loss of a unique voice in independent cinema. Fans and colleagues await further details surrounding his untimely death.
Baena leaves behind a legacy of boundary-pushing films and a passion for the unconventional, traits that inspired both audiences and fellow creatives alike.