Yahoo Lifestyle Jeff Baena, Film Director and Husband of Aubrey Plaza, Dead at 47; Family Laments ‘Unimaginable Tragedy’ in Official Statement
Filmmaker Jeff Baena, husband of Parks and Recreation and Agatha All Along star Aubrey Plaza, has died. He was 47.
Baena was found dead on Friday at a Los Angeles residence, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. The coroner officially reported suicide by hanging as the cause of death.
More from TVLine
Update (Jan. 6): The following statement was released on behalf of Plaza and the Baena and Stern families: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Baena was best known for writing and directing movies including Spin Me Round (2022), Horse Girl (2020), The Little Hours (2017) and Life After Beth (2014), several of which Plaza starred in. He also wrote I Heart Huckabees, the 2004 film starring Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin as a pair of detectives hired to investigate the meaning of life.
On the TV side, Baena created Showtime’s Cinema Toast, a 2021 anthology that reinvented imagery of old movies with voiceover by Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Fred Armisen, John Early, Christina Ricci, Megan Mullally, Chloe Fineman and Chris Meloni.
In May 2021, Plaza confirmed on Instagram that she and Baena had married, after reportedly dating for nearly a decade.
“I think that when you’re with someone that is in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level,” Plaza said, in 2019, of her relationship with Baena. “So obviously you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we’re both on.” But, “There’s a lot of things we do separately,” she noted, “and I think that it’s all about balance.”
A rep said in a statement that Baena’s family is devastated and asks for privacy at this difficult time.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line.
TV Stars We Lost in 2025
Best of TVLine
The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
Summer TV Calendar: Your Guide to 85+ Season and Series Premieres
Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
