Aubrey Plaza’s filmmaker husband Jeff Baena dies suddenly aged 47

Jeff Baena, filmmaker and husband of White Lotus actress Aubrey Plaza, has died aged 47. Photo / Getty images

Warning: This article has references to suicide and may be distressing for some readers

Hollywood filmmaker Jeff Baena has died suddenly at age 47.

Baena, who was married to White Lotus actress Aubrey Plaza, was found dead by an assistant on Friday morning (UST) at his home in the Los Angeles area, TMZ reports.

Police sources told the outlet that police and the fire department responded to the home at around 10.30am for a death investigation.

The director was pronounced dead at the scene with authorities reportedly treating his death as a suicide, according to TMZ.

Social media users responded to news of Baena’s death online.

“Oh god, I hope she’s ok,” one person wrote, referring to Plaza.

“What horrific news,” another X user said.

“Prayers with Aubrey Plaza, and all those who knew and loved Baena.”

“Wow. Very young,” a third wrote.

“Awful. Sending my condolences,” another social media user posted.

Baena was best known for directing films such as the horror comedy Life After Beth (2014) and the 2017 comedy-drama The Little Hours.

Baena and Plaza, 40, — who shot to fame in the sitcom Parks and Recreation — started dating in 2011.

The couple never announced their engagement or wedding, but in May 2021, Plaza referred to Baena as her “darling husband” in an Instagram post.

“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble,” the caption said.

A representative later confirmed to People that the couple had tied the knot.

Baena was born and raised in Miami and later attended film school at New York University. The late star moved to Los Angeles after graduation and began a career in entertainment, the New York Post reports.

The screenwriter has more than a dozen directing and film credits to his name.

He co-wrote four screenplays, including the 2004 cult favourite I Heart Huckabees, starring Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin.

Along with Plaza, Baena is survived by his mother Barbara Stern and stepfather Roger Stern, dad Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena and stepsister and stepbrother Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.

SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What’s Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Aoake te Rā – Free, brief therapeutic support service for those bereaved by suicide. Call 0800 000 053.
• • Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111