The Life and Work of Jeff Baena: A Filmmaker's Journey Cut Short

Jeff Baena, a talented filmmaker known for his unique comedies, has passed away at age 47. His body was found on Friday in a Los Angeles residence, but the cause of death is not yet known. Baena leaves behind a notable career in directing and screenwriting, with films like "The Little Hours" and "Life After Beth" to his credit. These movies were praised for their modern twists on classic genres, with "The Little Hours" drawing inspiration from "The Decameron" and medieval studies. Baena's career spanned various styles, from dark comedies to psychological dramas. He worked with notable actors like Aubrey Plaza, his wife, and Allison Brie, who also co-wrote scripts with him. Their collaborations included the 2022 film "Spin Me Round" and the 2020 drama "Horse Girl. "Before his directing career took off, Baena was a production assistant for director Robert Zemeckis and later an assistant editor for David O. Russell. He also co-wrote the existential comedy "I Heart Huckabees. " Baena's films were showcased at prestigious festivals like Sundance and South by Southwest, and were distributed by major companies like Netflix and Lionsgate. On the television front, Baena created, wrote, directed, and produced "Cinema Toast" for Showtime. His educational background includes a film degree from NYU. Baena is survived by his wife Aubrey Plaza, his parents, step-parents, siblings, and other family members.