Aubrey Plaza Speaks Out Following the Death of Her Husband Jeff Baena at 47 — Details

Shortly after the passing of film director Jeff Baena, his wife and family publicly mourned his loss. Around the same time, a Golden Globe-winning director paid tribute to Baena in his acceptance speech.

Actress Aubrey Plaza has spoken out for the first time about the heartbreaking death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, who passed away at 47 on January 3. She and the Baena and Stern family shared a statement with Fox News Digital on January 6.

"This is an unimaginable tragedy," the statement read. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."

The tragedy occurred just days before the 82nd Golden Globe Awards on January 5, where the 40-year-old actress was scheduled to present an award alongside stars such as Andrew Garfield, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, and Colin Farrell. In light of Baena's death, Plaza skipped the event.

Amid Plaza's absence from the event, "The Brutalist" director Brady Corbet, who won Best Director, delivered a brief yet heartfelt tribute during his acceptance speech. "Finally tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff's Family. Good night," Corbet said.

Baena was found dead on January 4, under tragic circumstances.

Authorities responded to a Los Angeles residence around 10:30 a.m. after an assistant discovered Baena unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement later confirmed his death as a suicide.

A report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed Baena died by hanging. While the investigation shed light on the cause, questions remain about the events leading up to his untimely passing.

At the time, TMZ also reported that Plaza's representatives described the family as "devastated," asking for privacy as they mourn their loss. Baena left behind a legacy of inventive storytelling and bold filmmaking, leaving fans and the industry in shock over his sudden departure.

He first gained recognition for co-writing the 2004 film "I Heart Huckabees" with director David O'Russell, earning a Gotham Award nomination for Best Feature. His other notable works included "Life After Beth" (2014), "The Little Hours" (2017), and the Netflix drama "Horse Girl" (2020).

Known for blending dark themes with humor, Baena's films stood out for their unique narratives. "Life After Beth" mixed romance with zombies, while "The Little Hours" portrayed a convent of undisciplined nuns.

Baena's passion for filmmaking began early. At age 11, he stumbled upon the late film director, Stanley Kubrick's, film "A Clockwork Orange" while flipping through cable channels. Intrigued, he persuaded his father to rent Federico Fellini's comedy "8 ½." That moment sparked his love for unconventional cinema.

In an interview with Fresh Fiction, Baena shared that he had always been attracted to films with unusual themes. He explained that his exposure to offbeat movies shaped his artistic vision, adding that he actively sought out such works.

Baena and Plaza's love story began in 2011, quietly blossoming away from the spotlight. After a decade together, the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony that surprised many fans. The news broke in May 2021 when Plaza referred to Baena as her "darling husband" in an Instagram post celebrating one of his films.

Plaza later shared lighthearted details about their wedding during a 2022 appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." She revealed that their decision to marry came during the COVID-19 lockdown, which coincided with their 10-year anniversary.

After joking about tying the knot to mark the milestone, Plaza stumbled upon a website called "OneHourMarriage.com" and arranged for an officiant to come to their home. While Baena stepped out to pick up a food delivery, Plaza visited her neighbor, Dandelion — a practicing witch — to request a spell for the occasion.

"She went into her house, rummaged around, came out with a rosemary wreath… and I created a very quick love altar in my yard," Plaza recalled. "And then the man from [the marriage website] showed up in a Hawaiian shirt with a briefcase. I can't remember a lot of it, it was fuzzy. But I'm pretty sure it's legal."

Plaza once opened up about her thoughts on having children, admitting that she considered starting a family during the pandemic but felt unsettled by the state of the world at the time.

Reflecting on her long-term relationship at the time, she explained that being with Baena for 12 years gave her insight into the ups and downs couples experience. She noted that it's easy to compare one's relationship to seemingly perfect ones but emphasized the importance of navigating challenges together.

Beyond their personal connection, Baena and Plaza also shared a creative partnership. Plaza starred in Baena's horror-comedy "Life After Beth," which earned a nomination for Sundance's Grand Jury Prize. The couple collaborated again on the medieval dark comedy "The Little Hours," featuring Alison Brie and Dave Franco.

Baena continued his streak of inventive storytelling with "Horse Girl" in 2020, a psychological drama starring Plaza and Alison Brie that became one of his most commercially successful films. His most recent project, "Spin Me Round," premiered in 2022 and once again featured Plaza in a leading role.

In past interviews, Baena expressed admiration for working alongside Plaza. He described her as an exceptional performer and said he felt fortunate to collaborate with her on multiple projects, highlighting how their professional and personal lives intertwined seamlessly.

Baena was born on June 29, 1977, and grew up in Miami. He graduated from New York University in 1999 with a degree in film. His sudden death has deeply impacted the entertainment industry, sparking heartfelt tributes from friends and colleagues.

Actor Adam Pally expressed sorrow for Plaza and her family. "My heart breaks for my friend Aubrey and the Baena Family and for all of us who spent time on his sets," he wrote.

The Sundance Film Festival paid tribute on social media, thanked Baena for his contributions, and praised his "wit, humor, and daring vision." Searchlight Pictures also acknowledged his "creativity and passion" and sent condolences to his loved ones.

In addition to Aubrey Plaza, Baena left behind a loving family. His mother, Barbara Stern, and stepfather, Roger Stern, stood by him through thick and thin. His father, Scott Baena, and stepmother, Michele Baena, also played pivotal roles in his life.

He was survived by his brother, Brad Baena, who shared countless memories with him. Additionally, Baena was part of a larger family, including his stepsiblings, Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman. Each of them carried a piece of his spirit and legacy.