Aubrey Plaza broke her silence on the sudden death of her husband, director Jeff Baena.
Plaza’s first public comments on the loss came Jan. 6, just three days after he tragically passed away at 47. Plaza called this an “unimaginable tragedy” in a statement, according to TMZ.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time,” Plaza and Baena’s family said in a statement. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office ruled Baena’s death a suicide, according to CBS News.
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 08: Writer/director Jeff Baena (L) and actress Aubrey Plaza pose for a portrait during Sundance NEXT FEST at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on August 8, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Sundance NEXT)
Police and the fire department answered a call from a Los Angeles-area residence at 10:30 a.m. Friday after an assistant found Baena deceased inside, according to TMZ. The manner in which Baena took his own life has not been publicly disclosed at this time.
Baena was a prominent director and screenwriter whose credits include “I Heart Huckabees,” “Joshy,” “The Little Hours”, “Horse Girl” and ‘Spin Me Round.” His movies were recognized several times at the Sundance Film Festival during his career. Baena also created, wrote the script for, produced and directed the Showtime series “Cinema Toast.”
PARK CITY, UT – JANUARY 19: Actress Aubrey Plaza and director/writer Jeff Baena attends the GREY GOOSE Blue Door Hosts “Life After Beth” Party on January 19, 2014 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE)
Baena’s directorial debut came with the 2014 release of “Life After Beth,” in which Plaza co-starred.
The couple married in 2021.
Friends, fans and fellow Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Baena on social media while struggling to come to terms with this sudden loss.(RELATED: Creator Of Beloved Children’s Series ‘Thomas & Friends’ Dead At 81)
Baena is leaves behind his wife Plaza, as well as his mom Barbara Stern and stepfather Roger Stern. His father Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena have survived him, as have his brother Brad Baena and stepsister and stepbrother Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.
