Jeff Baena, the writer-director known for Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl and Spin Me Round, died in Los Angeles on January 3, 2025, at age 47. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later determined that he died by suicide.
Jeff Baena, the independent filmmaker known for Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl and Spin Me Round, died in Los Angeles on January 3, 2025. He was 47.
Baena was also known publicly as Aubrey Plaza’s husband and creative collaborator. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later determined that Baena died by suicide. That official finding should be understood as the cause-and-manner determination; there is no verified basis for speculation about his private circumstances or motive.
Who was Jeff Baena?
Baena was a screenwriter, director and producer whose work often brought dark comedy, eccentric characters, relationship tension and genre experimentation together. He built his career primarily through independent film, while also working in television and anthology projects.
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His early screenwriting credits included co-writing David O. Russell’s I Heart Huckabees (2004). The credit is significant as an early career marker, but Baena was the film’s co-writer—not its director.
Baena later moved into feature directing with Life After Beth (2014), a dark comedy starring Plaza. The film marked the beginning of a recurring professional partnership between Baena and Plaza, who appeared in several of his projects and worked with him as a producer.
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Jeff Baena’s major films and television work
| Year | Project | Baena’s role | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | I Heart Huckabees | Co-writer | An early screenwriting credit, shared with David O. Russell. |
| 2014 | Life After Beth | Writer-director | Baena’s feature-directing emergence and an early film collaboration with Aubrey Plaza. |
| 2016 | Joshy | Writer-director | An independent ensemble comedy centered on friendship, grief and strained relationships. |
| 2017 | The Little Hours | Writer-director | A medieval-set black comedy featuring Alison Brie, Plaza, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, John C. Reilly and Molly Shannon. |
| 2020 | Horse Girl | Writer, director and producer | A collaboration with Alison Brie that expanded Baena’s work into more psychologically unsettled territory. |
| 2021 | Cinema Toast | Writer-director and producer | An anthology television project showing that his work extended beyond theatrical features. |
| 2022 | Spin Me Round | Director and co-writer | Co-written with Alison Brie and featuring Plaza; it was Baena’s final feature directing credit before his death. |
Baena studied film production at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Across his filmography, he moved between ensemble comedy, horror-influenced premises, historical satire and more psychologically ambiguous stories. Those categories are a description of the range of his work rather than an official genre label.
Baena and Aubrey Plaza’s marriage and creative partnership
Baena and Plaza were married and collaborated repeatedly during their relationship. Plaza acted in several of Baena’s films, including Life After Beth, The Little Hours and Spin Me Round. The pair also worked together in producing roles.
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The partnership is relevant to Baena’s public biography, but it does not replace his own creative record. He was the writer-director of The Little Hours, the writer-director of Life After Beth and Joshy, and the writer, director and producer of Horse Girl. Plaza’s presence in those films should not obscure Baena’s work behind the camera.
In a statement, Plaza and Baena’s family described his death as an unimaginable tragedy and thanked people for their support. The statement did not establish a motive or explain private circumstances, and those matters should not be inferred.
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Where to start with Jeff Baena’s films
For viewers who want a representative starting point, The Little Hours brings together many of Baena’s recurring interests: an unusual historical setting, irreverent comedy, an ensemble cast and a deliberately modern sensibility applied to an older world. A physical release may be listed as The Little Hours on Blu-ray, although availability, condition and pricing can change and some listings may be out of print.
Life After Beth is the natural starting point for viewers interested in Baena and Plaza’s first major feature collaboration. Joshy offers a more relationship-focused ensemble comedy, while Horse Girl shows his willingness to work in a more psychologically disorienting mode. Spin Me Round, his final feature directing credit, extends his interest in comedy, social performance and uncomfortable interpersonal dynamics.
Support for people affected by suicide
If this report raises immediate concerns for you or someone you know in the United States or its territories, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an immediate emergency, call emergency services. Readers elsewhere should contact their local crisis service or emergency number.
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- 📷 This bundle included one roll of Kodak Ultramax400 24exp film, battery not included.
- 📷 The included roll of Ultramax film will be either the Kodak Alaris packaging (pictured) or the Eastman Kodak packaging depends on availability.
- 📷 Film-saving: You can have twice as many images per roll. For example, a film roll with 24 exposures can yield around 48 half-frame photos - doubled!
- 📷 Lightweight and Easy-to-use: The pocket-size camera is light and tiny, and hence convenient for you to bring along daily. Since its instructions are simple, it is suitable for all analog hobbyists.
- 📷 Built-in Flash: Turning on the flash by adjusting the silver ring around the lens so that you can use KODAK EKTAR H35 during days and nights, outdoor and indoor.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jeff Baena die?
Jeff Baena died in Los Angeles on January 3, 2025. He was 47.
What was the official cause of Jeff Baena’s death?
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner determined that Jeff Baena died by suicide. This article does not speculate about motive or private circumstances.
What movies did Jeff Baena direct or write?
Baena’s major credits include Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl, Cinema Toast and Spin Me Round. He also co-wrote I Heart Huckabees.
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Jeff Baena died in Los Angeles on January 3, 2025, at age 47. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later determined that he died by suicide. He leaves a body of independent film and television work that includes Life After Beth, Joshy, The Little Hours, Horse Girl, Cinema Toast and Spin Me Round.
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