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Aubrey Plaza Breaks Her Silence Following Husband Jeff Baena's Death: "Unimaginable Tragedy"
Jeff Baena is being remembered by those who knew him best.
After the filmmaker, who was married to The White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza, died Jan. 3 at age 47, his loved ones detailed his passion for writing and directing movies, describing his work as “testimony to his keen intellect.”
“Each of his films reflects a carefully crafted balance of the logical and the implausible,” his family wrote in an obituary originally published by the Miami Herald Jan. 8. “His juxtaposition of intellect and creativity challenged us. He embraced independent filmmaking because of his unalterable distaste for institutional guardrails on creativity.”
Outside of his work—which included films like I Heart Huckabees, Life After Beth and The Little Hours—Baena was also remembered as “a true relationship builder with a gift for bringing people together,” as his family noted he often organized gatherings for his inner circle.
“His magic sauce was ensuring everyone was having fun,” the obituary read, “and no one ever left his get-togethers as a stranger.”
Baena’s family also shared his fondness for The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, referencing the beloved children’s book in a heartbreaking sendoff.
Mark Davis/Getty Images for Sundance NEXT
“We shall always love and deeply miss Jeff,” the obituary concluded. “His presence, as well as his work, made the world feel better. He had lots more to offer. Alas, all that is gone. Sweet dreams, our Little Prince.”
Baena was found dead Jan. 3 at a residence in Los Angeles in what the local medical examiner deemed a suicide, according to records viewed by E! News. Days later, Plaza—who has since deactivated her Instagram account—issued a joint statement with Baena’s parents and stepparents about their collective loss.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” they said in the statement obtained by E! News Jan. 6. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Keep reading for a closer look at Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza's love story...
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE
2011: Start Dating
While Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena didn't share much insight into the early days of their romance, they started dating in 2011 after meeting during a game of Balderdash.
But one thing the Parks & Recreation star divulged is that from the start, they bonded over movies.
“We’re so obsessed with movies,” she told Page Six in 2017. “That’s why we’re making movies together.”
Photo by Chad Hurst/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival
2014: Collaborate on Life After Beth
It wasn’t until three years into their relationship that they made their first movie together, Life After Beth, which marked Jeff’s directorial debut.
Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival
2019: A Rare Romance Update
While she and Jeff generally kept their romance out of the public eye, Aubrey admitted that having a partner in the entertainment industry has some benefits.
“I think that when you’re with someone that is in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level,” she told People in June 2019. “So obviously you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we’re both on.”
But that’s not to say it doesn’t take its own work.
“So I think that can be really great,” the Child’s Play alum noted. “But, you know, working with your partner can always be challenging. There’s a lot of things we do separately and I think that it’s all about balance."
Aubrey Plaza/Instagram
2021: Aubrey Confirms Marriage
After a decade together, Aubrey confirmed she and Jeff had tied the knot while giving him a rare shoutout on social media—and teasing their fourth movie together, Spin Me Round.
“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble,” she wrote that May. “excited to be reunited with the amazing @alisonbrie (who also co-wrote this one!) and @theofficialsuperstar @sordociego @lauren_weedman and so many more fun people in this. Preparati!!”
Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
2022: Jeff Shares Insight Why He and Aubrey Work So Well Together
After making several movies with his wife, Jeff made it clear that he’s not just her husband or director, he’s her No. 1 fan.
“She’s awesome,” he explained on the Reel Talker podcast in 2022. “I’d be working with her if she wasn’t my wife, but luckily she is my wife,” Baena told Reel Talker in 2022. “The opportunity to do something creative where we’re both fulfilled. How rare is that?”
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
2022: Their Final Film Together
Three years before Jeff's sudden death at age 47, he and Aubrey worked on their fourth and final film together, Spin Me Round. During their 14 years together, they also made The Little Hours and she appeared in his 2016 film Joshy.
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