Jeff Baena, the renowned screenwriter and director celebrated for his exceptional work on Life After Beth (2014), Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017), Horse Girl (2020), and Spin Me Round (2022), has tragically passed away at the age of 47. Baena also co-wrote the 2004 film I Heart Huckabees, which received a nomination for the Gotham Award for Best Feature. He was married to actress and producer Aubrey Plaza since 2021.
The cause of Baena’s death remains unknown, and updates will be provided as more details emerge. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Baena started his career in Los Angeles as a production assistant for acclaimed filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. He later worked as an assistant editor for writer-director David O. Russell, experiences that profoundly influenced his career.
A Celebrated Career in Film
Jeff Baena made his directorial debut with Life After Beth, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and earned a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize before being released by A24. His follow-up feature, Joshy (2016), also premiered at Sundance and received critical acclaim. The Little Hours (2017), a comedy featuring a star-studded ensemble cast, was nominated for the Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Continuing to push boundaries, Baena co-wrote, directed, and produced Horse Girl (2020), which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and was later released on Netflix. His latest project, Spin Me Round (2022), premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival and was distributed by IFC Films.
Contributions to Television
In addition to his film success, Jeff Baena created, wrote, directed, and executive produced the Showtime series Cinema Toast, showcasing his versatile storytelling abilities.
Survived by Family
Baena is survived by his wife Aubrey Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena, and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
The passing of Jeff Baena leaves a significant void in the world of independent cinema. His creativity, vision, and passion for storytelling will be remembered through his remarkable contributions to the industry.
