FILMMAKER Jeff Baena 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 Los Angeles home on Friday.
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Baena married actress Plaza in 2021 and was best known for Indie movies such as Life After Beth, Joshy and The Little Hours.
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office said the screenwriter died by hanging in their Los Feliz property.
His body was found by an assistant at their home – which they bought in 2022 – at 10.25am, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Baena was pronounced dead at the scene.
Los Angeles Police Department told The U.S. Sun: “We responded to a death Investigation and the case is being handled by the Coroner’s Office.”
His family have been left “devastated” by the sudden news and have asked for privacy, US outlet Deadline reported.
Baena and Plaza – who starred in Parks and Recreation – wed more than four years ago after a decade together.
They kept both the engagement and marriage a secret before Plaza described Baena as her “darling husband” in a touching Instagram post in 2021.
Plaza told how “proud” she was of him in the post – their final together.
Baena was born and raised in Miami before he headed to New York to attend film school at university.
He then started his journey as a filmmaker in Los Angeles where he became a writer.
In 2004 he co-wrote the hit film I Heart Huckabees and worked with Hollywood elites Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law and Naomi Watts.
A decade later, he found his big solo break with the zombie flick Life After Beth which starred his eventual 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 before its A24 release.
Plaza publicly praised her then boyfriend for helping her cut through the film and TV industry.
She told People: “I think that when you’re with someone that is in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level.
“So obviously you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we’re both on.”
Baena’s career saw him be nominated for several awards for his writing and directorial skills.
He bagged himself a second Grand Jury Prize nomination in 2016 for Joshy.
His The Little Hours project from a year later was also put up for the Audience Award at the 2017 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The filmmaker also had a go at writing for TV with the Showtime series Cinema Toast which he created, wrote, directed and executive produced.
Baena has left behind his wife, mum Barbra Stern, stepfather Roger Stern and stepmother Michele Baena.
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You’re Not Alone
SUICIDE doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re 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 do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
In the US, if you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Or in the UK the following organisations provide support: