Jeff Baena, an independent filmmaker best known for directing “Life After Beth” and co-writing “I Heart Huckabees,” died Friday, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. He was 47.
Baena had been married to actor Aubrey Plaza since 2021. The couple collaborated on several films, including in 2014’s “Life After Beth,” in which Plaza had a starring role.
He died by suicide at a home, according to the medical examiner’s records.
Baena graduated from New York University’s film school and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career, according to Deadline. He worked as a production assistant before pivoting into an assistant editor role. It was in this role that he worked with director David O. Russell, Baena’s co-writer and the director of “I Heart Huckabees,” a 2004 dark comedy with an ensemble cast that included Mark Wahlberg, Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin.
In an interview with Fast Company in 2016, Baena spoke about an accident that left him with an eye injury — specifically cornea damage — being the catalyst for his co-writing relationship with Russell.
Russell asked Baena what he thought about an idea floated to him by a production company, and the conversation took off from there, according to the outlet.
“He allowed me to advocate for any ideas that were in conflict with his ideas,” Baena told Fast Company. “We were on the same wavelength, had the same style and interests. He was really a soul mate, as a cowriter.”
When it came to his writing, Baena said in an interview with ISA Insider that he was drawn to irony and that comedy “tends to have worlds built within it.”
“Because I personally I feel like, in the most serious moments, there is still comedy and the way people cope with bad things is generally through comedy,” Baena told the outlet.
The Sundance Film Festival posted a tribute to Baena on X, extending “our heartfelt thanks to Jeff Baena for sharing his stories and contributing to the lasting memories we’ve built together.”
“Jeff, we’ll miss your wit, humor, and daring vision. Rest in peace, friend,” Sundance posted.
Comedian and podcast host Marc Maron said on X that he is “very sad about the tragic loss of a true artist and sweet guy.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
Colin Sheeley and Rebecca Cohen contributed.