Jeff Baena steadily built his career with hard work and perseverance. Long before marrying his wife, Aubrey Plaza, Baena worked on several movies and developed a strong reputation in the film industry. Unfortunately, Baena’s life was cut short when he was found dead on January 3, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Learn more about Baena’s film career below.
Who Was Jeff Baena?
Baena was a screenwriter, producer, and director, who attended New York University and worked as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis. According to his IMDb account, Baena was born in Miami, Florida, in June 1977. He later married Plaza in a private ceremony, but their marriage wasn’t revealed until mid-2021.
Jeff Baena’s Notable Movies & TV Shows
The late Miami native was mostly recognized for his work on the films The Little Hours, Life After Beth, Joshy and Spin Me Round. Plaza starred in Life After Beth in a main role and in Spin Me Round in a supporting role.
Plaza gushed about her spouse’s work on Spin Me Round in a 2021 Instagram post. In it, she revealed that they were married by calling Baena her “darling husband.”
“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble,” the Agatha All Along alum wrote. “Excited to be reunited with the amazing @alisonbrie (who also co-wrote this one!) and @theofficialsuperstar @sordociego @lauren_weedman and so many more fun people in this. Preparati!!”
What Is Jeff Baena’s Net Worth?
Baena’s net worth is still unclear, but Plaza’s net worth is estimated at around $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The couple, who collaborated on several projects, built a successful life together in the entertainment industry. Beyond their financial success, however, they were deeply supportive of each other, whether working together on a production or pursuing individual projects.
What Happened to Jeff Baena?
According to TMZ, Baena was found after police and fire personnel responded to a call from an assistant around 10:30 AM. Reports indicate that Baena’s body was discovered by his dog walker, who entered the residence and found him. The assistant had reportedly discovered Baena’s body before police and fire arrived to conduct a death investigation.
Jeff Baena’s Cause of Death
Law enforcement later confirmed that Baena died by suicide. On January 6, 2025, People shared a joint statement from Plaza and Baena’s family that read, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
In March 2025, it was revealed that Baena had been separated from Plaza since September 2024, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. A month later, Plaza reportedly received concerning messages from him, which led her to request a welfare check. Following the welfare check in October 2024, Baena began attending therapy. Plaza received her last text message from him on the day of his death, at 10:36 a.m. ET.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Read the full article here
