Independent director and screenwriter Jeff Baena – who was known for quirky hits such as Life After Beth and was the husband of that film’s star, Aubrey Plaza – has died, according to reports. Baena was 47.
The Los Angeles medical examiner said that Baena died on Friday at his home in that city at about 10.39am local time. Officials did not immediately provide Baena’s cause or manner of death.
Baena’s The Little Hours – a dark comedy set in a 14th-century convent and released in 2017 – was among his best-known works, and it was led by Plaza. Plaza and Baena had dated since about 2011, and in 2021 she revealed in a social media post that they had gotten married.
Variety noted that The Little Hours was somewhat inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron, a 14th-century classic. Baena had studied the medieval and renaissance eras, according to the outlet.
Plaza had also starred in Baena’s Life After Beth, a 2014 zombie-themed romantic comedy.
Baena had also co-written the 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees with David O Russell. The indie film explored existential woe with bleak humor. It had a star-studded cast, including actors Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts, Jason Schwartzman, Lily Tomlin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher and Mark Wahlberg.
Baena, a Miami native, attended college at New York University. After graduating, Baena moved to Los Angeles for his film career, People reported.
Baena is survived by Plaza, mother Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena and brother Brad Baena, as well as step-siblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman, Deadline said.
The Los Angeles medical examiner’s office has not released any information about a cause or manner of death for Baena, and the agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
