Filmmaker Jeff Baena died by suicide inside his Los Angeles home, which he shared with his actress wife Aubrey Plaza, according to an update from the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office. The 47-year-old died by hanging at their Los Feliz property on a few days ago.
Baena’s body was discovered by an assistant at around 10:25 am, with the Los Angeles Fire Department responding to the scene. His family is devastated by the news and has asked for privacy at this time.
The pair were last seen together on a hike this past summer, six months before his tragic suicide. They were also spotted enjoying a stroll in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park on July 5.
Baena is best known for directing the films “Life After Beth” and “The Little Hours”. He also co-wrote “I Heart Huckabees,” which was nominated for a 2004 Gotham Award for Best Feature. In addition, he worked on several TV series, including Showtime’s “Cinema Toast”, which he co-directed with Plaza.
Baena had spoken candidly about mental health in the past, even going so far as to share his own experiences with the topic. In a Reddit AMA, he discussed the themes of treating people with mental illness, drawing from his own family history with mental health issues.
Plaza has not publicly commented on her husband’s death. The pair were married in 2020, with Baena co-directing and producing the film “Spin Me Round”, which premiered in 2022. Plaza was set to present at the 2025 Golden Globes, but it is unclear if she will still attend the event.