Jeff Baena, an unbiased 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, based on the Los Angeles County coroner’s workplace. The workplace didn’t present any details about explanation for dying.
Born June 29, 1977, Baena attended New York College 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 stored 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 few servant who takes refuge with nuns in the course of 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 venture. His credit additionally embody the 2021 Showtime collection “Cinema Toast,” starring Brie, Christina Ricci and Chloe Fineman.
Representatives for Plaza, who acquired an Emmy nomination for her efficiency within the second season of “The White Lotus,” declined remark. Along with 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.