Jeff Baena, the acclaimed writer-director known for dark comedies like "I Heart Huckabees" and "Life After Beth," has died at his Los Angeles home on January 3. He was 47.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed Baena died by suicide at his residence.
A graduate of New York University's film school, Baena began his Hollywood career as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis before working as an assistant editor for David O. Russell. He went on to co-write the 2004 cult classic "I Heart Huckabees" with Russell.
Baena directed several independent films including "Life After Beth" (2014), "The Little Hours" (2017), and "Horse Girl" (2020). He also created the Showtime anthology series "Cinema Toast" in 2021.
He frequently collaborated with his wife, actress Aubrey Plaza, who starred in several of his films including "Life After Beth" and "The Little Hours." The couple maintained a private relationship for over a decade before marrying in 2021 during the pandemic in what Plaza described as a spontaneous backyard ceremony wearing tie-dye pajamas.
In a 2022 interview, Baena reflected on his filmmaking style: "I was always drawn to weirdo movies...to stuff that was a little bit left of center." His work often blended dark themes with comedy, from zombie romance to unconventional nun stories.
Baena is survived by his wife Aubrey Plaza, his parents Barbara and Scott Baena, stepparents Roger and Michele Stern, his brother Brad Baena, and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
The filmmaker's unexpected passing leaves behind a legacy of unique independent films that challenged conventional storytelling while maintaining his signature blend of darkness and humor.