Independent filmmaker Jeff Bae, who directed wife Aubrey Plaza in ‘The Little Hours’ and co-wrote David O. Russell’s ‘I Heart Huckabees’ Jeff Baena passed away at age 47.
Baena died Friday at his home, and the cause of death was ruled a suicide, according to the Los Angeles County coroner.
Born on June 29, 1977, Baena attended New York University Film School and worked as a production assistant on Robert Zemeckis films before working with Russell. During that time, they collaborated on the writing of “I Heart Huckabees,” a dark comedy released in 2004 that starred Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin and Mark Wahlberg.
Baena then wrote and directed “Life After Beth,” a 2014 zombie comedy on her own, starring Plaza, near the end of her “Parks and Recreation” run. The two have maintained a private relationship, and Plaza referred to him as her husband in 2021.
She also appeared in the 2017 dark comedy ‘The Little Hours’, which Baena directed and co-wrote about a servant seeking refuge with medieval nuns, and 2022’s ‘Spin Me Round’, the last film Baena directed. I did it. He co-wrote “Spin Me Round” with star Alison Brie.
Baena also wrote and directed 2016’s “Joshy,” starring Thomas Middleditch, and the 2020 Netflix release “Horse Girl,” starring Brie, who co-wrote the project. His work also includes the 2021 Showtime series ‘Cinema Toast,’ starring Brie, Christina Ricci, and Chloe Fineman.
Plaza, who was nominated for an Emmy for Season 2 of ‘White Lotus’, made no comment about Bae Na’s death. Plaza was scheduled to speak at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
Besides his wife, Baena is survived by his mother, Barbara Stern; father, Scott Baena; stepfather, Roger Stern; stepmother, Michelle Baena; brother, Brad Baena; half-sister Bianca Gavey; and stepbrother Jed Fluxman.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek professional help and call 9-8-8. America’s first national three-digit mental health crisis hotline 988 We connect callers with trained mental health counselors. To connect with the Crisis Text Line, text “HOME” to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada.
