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Screenwriter and director Jeff Baena, who was married Aubrey Plazadied at the age of 47.
Baena’s body was found by an aide at a Los Angeles home and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death has not yet been released.
His credits include the films Leefe After Beth (2014), The Little Hours (2017) and Netflix movie Horse Girl (2020). He was also a co-author I Heart Huckabeesa 2004 film directed by David O Russell.
Baena started his relationship with Parks and Recreation and White Lotus star Plaza in 2011, and the couple married 10 years later.
The writer, director and actor’s films have become favorites on the independent film circuit and have often received accolades at the Sundance Film Festival.
Life after Beththe horror comedy starring his future wife, Plaza, was nominated for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2014, and two years later, its sequel Joshystarring Thomas Middleditch, received the same nomination.
Medieval black comedy The Little Hoursin which he reunited with Plaza, played the husband-and-wife duo of Alison Brie and Dave Franco, doc Horse Girla psychological thriller he co-wrote with Brie, saw Baena get the biggest commercial hit of his career thanks to a Netflix release.
The film follows an introverted young woman whose dreams slowly begin to take over her reality. Baena’s latest film was Spin Me Roundwhich premiered in 2022.
It starred Brie and Plaza, and was Baena’s first film to direct after marrying the latter in 2021.
Speaking about working with Plaza, Baena said Reel Talker 2022: “I would work with her if she wasn’t my wife, but fortunately she is.” To have that shorthand, that kind of connection, it’s amazing – there are few directors who are lucky enough to be with an incredibly talented performer.
“Opportunities to create and do something creative together where we are both fulfilled – how rare is that?”