DIRECTOR Jeff Baena has tragically died by suicide, authorities have confirmed.
The 47-year-old – who was married to White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza – was found dead at their home in Los Angeles on Friday.
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Baena was married to Hollywood actress Aubrey PlazaCredits: Rex
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The couple married in 2021. Credit: Getty
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Baena was found dead in his home at the age of 47 Credits: Rex
Baena married actress Plaza in 2021 and was best known for independent films such as Life After Beth, Joshy and Little Hours.
The US Sun obtained a radio call from the LA County Fire Department saying it had dispatched a unit “on suspension” to an address in Los Feliz.
His body was found by an assistant on the property the couple bought together in 2022 at 10:25 a.m.
Baena was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles Police Department told the US Sun: “We responded to the death investigation and the case is being handled by the coroner’s office.”
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the screenwriter died by hanging.
His family was left “devastated” by the sudden news and asked for privacy, US newspaper Deadline reported.
Baena and Plaza – who starred in Parks and Recreation – married more than four years ago after a decade together.
Both the engagement and marriage were kept under wraps before Plaza described Baen as her “dear husband” in a touching Instagram post in 2021.
Plaza shared how “proud” she was of him in the post — their finale together.
Baena was born and raised in Miami before moving to New York to attend film school at the university.
Then he started his film journey in Los Angeles where he became a writer.
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In 2004, he co-wrote the hit film I Heart Huckabees and worked with Hollywood elite Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law and Naomi Watts.
A decade later, he found his big solo break with the zombie film Life After Beth starring his future wife Plaza, as well as comedy star John C. Reilly.
The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize prior to A24’s release.
Plaza has publicly praised her then-boyfriend for helping her break through the film and TV industry.
She told People: “I think when you’re with someone who’s in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level.
“So obviously you can support each other and you really understand the kind of journey that we’re both on.”
Baena’s career has seen him nominated for several awards for his screenwriting and directing skills.
He received a second nomination for the 2016 Grand Jury Prize for Joshy.
His project The Little Hours from a year later was also nominated for the Audience Award at the 2017 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The director also tried his hand at writing for TV with the Showtime series Cinema Toast, which he created, wrote, directed and executive produced.
Baena is survived by his wife, mother Barbra Stern, stepfather Roger Stern and stepmother Michele Baena.
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Plaza first announced her marriage with this picture of her and Baena while calling him her ‘dear husband’Credit: Instagram
You are not alone
SUICIDE does not discriminate, it touches the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and football players.
It is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, deadlier than cancer and traffic accidents.
And men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.
Yet it’s rarely talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage if we don’t all stop and pay attention now.
That’s why The Sun launched the You Are Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all help save lives.
Let’s all pledge to ask for help when we need it, and listen to others… You are not alone.
In the US, if you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues mentioned in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat at 988lifeline.org or text the Crisis Text Line to 741741.
Or in the UK the following organizations provide support:
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Source: HIS Education