Indie screenwriter and director Jeff Baena has died at the age of 47. A spokesperson for Baena’s wife, ‘Parks and Rec’ star Aubrey Plaza, told CBS News Baena’s death was reported by Deadline.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office also confirmed his death to CBS News. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
According to his IMDB page, Baena is best known for co-writing the 2014 comedy “Life After Beth,” which starred Plaza, and 2004’s “I Heart Huckabees.” He most recently created, wrote, directed and executive produced Showtime’s 2021 series ‘Cinema Toast’ and wrote, directed and produced the 2022 film ‘Spin Me Round’.
Baena and Plaza, 40, will marry in 2021. The two frequently collaborated on his projects. Plaza opened up about the wedding on The Ellen Show, describing the ceremony as an impromptu event held in her backyard while sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaza announced that the wedding was held to commemorate the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.
“I just said, ‘It’s our 10th anniversary, so we should do something, get an ice cream cone, do something special.’ Then I joked about marriage and he said, ‘Well, I don’t think we can get married that soon,’” she said. “He said, ‘I don’t think we can get married that soon.’ ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to get married on our actual anniversary? Then I Googled it and found OneHourMarriage.com and called her around 5 p.m. and said, ‘Can you come in an hour and get married in my yard?’”
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According to Deadline, he is survived by Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, his stepfather Roger Stern, his father Scott Baena, his stepmother Michele Baena, his brother Brad Baena, and step-siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
