Jeff Baena, an impartial filmmaker who directed spouse Aubrey Plaza in “The Little Hours” and co-wrote David O. Russell’s “I Heart Huckabees,” has died at 47.
Baena died Friday at his residence, in keeping with the Los Angeles County coroner’s workplace. The workplace didn’t present any details about reason for demise.
Born June 29, 1977, Baena attended NYU movie college and was a manufacturing assistant on Robert Zemeckis movies earlier than working with Russell. Throughout that interval they collaborated on the writing of “I Heart Huckabees,” a darkish comedy launched in 2004 that starred Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin and Mark Wahlberg.
Baena then went on his personal, writing and directing “Life With Beth,” a 2014 zombie comedy starring Plaza towards the tip of her run on “Parks and Recreation.” The 2 saved their relationship non-public, with Plaza referring to him as her husband in 2021.
She additionally starred in “The Little Hours,” a 2017 darkish comedy Baena directed and co-wrote a couple of servant who takes refuge with nuns through the Center Ages, and appeared in 2022’s “Spin Me Round,” the final movie Baena directed. He co-wrote “Spin Me Round” with star Alison Brie.
Baena additionally wrote and directed 2016’s “Joshy,” starring Thomas Middleditch, and “Horse Girl,” a 2020 Netflix launch additionally starring Brie, co-writer on the mission. His credit additionally embrace the 2021 Showtime sequence “Cinema Toast,” starring Brie, Christina Ricci and Chloe Fineman.
Representatives for Plaza declined remark. Moreover his spouse, Baena is survived by his mom, Barbara Stern, father Scott Baena, stepfather Roger Stern, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, stepsister Bianca Gabay and stepbrother Jed Fluxman.
