Jeffrey Baena (June 29, 1977 – January 3, 2025) was an American scriptwriter and film director.
Early Life and Education
Jeff Baena was born in Miami, Florida, on June 29, 1977. He grew up in a secular Jewish family. After high school, he enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied film. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to seek a career in the film industry.
Career Beginnings
In Los Angeles, Baena was a production assistant for director Robert Zemeckis on movies including “What Lies Beneath” and “Cast Away” in 2000. He later worked as an assistant editor for the writer-director David O. Russell.
After a year and a half of working together, a small car accident injured one of Baena’s eyes. Russell started talking over story ideas with Baena to lift his spirits and partly help pass the time during his recovery. The two would eventually collaborate on four scripts, including “I Heart Huckabees” and “Jay Roach’s Meet the Fockers, “which Russell directed in 2004.
Directorial Debut and Subsequent Projects
Baena planned to make his directorial debut with the comedy-drama “Joshy,” but actor Adam Pally had to delay the project due to personal reasons. Instead, Baena directed “Life After Beth,” a zombie comedy with Aubrey Plaza that premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. He went on to direct “Joshy,” which debuted at Sundance in 2016 to positive reviews. His other notable works include “The Little Hours” (2017), “Horse Girl” (2020) and “Spin Me Round” (2022).
Personal Life and Relationship
Baena started dating actress Aubrey Plaza in 2011. The couple kept their relationship under wraps and wed in a small ceremony in their backyard in 2021. They often worked together professionally, with Plaza appearing in many of Baena’s films.
Death
Jeff Baena died at his home in Los Angeles on January 3, 2025. He was 47 years old. The County of Los Angeles medical examiner confirmed the cause of death suicide by hanging.
Legacy
Baena’s work in the film industry is marked by his unique blend of dark humor and heartfelt storytelling. His collaborations with many actors, his colleagues Alison Brie and Molly Shannon, and his wife, Aubrey Plaza, have long felt like a flame that will leave a mark on independent cinema.
