Since the passing of her husband Jeff Baena, who was 47 years old when he passed away last week, Aubrey Plaza has issued a statement for the first time since the tragedy.
It was reported by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office that Baena committed suicide on Friday, January 3, in his residence in Los Angeles, which was located close to the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz neighborhoods.
The following is an excerpt from a statement that was released jointly by Aubrey Plaza and the Baena/ Stern family and shared with The Independent: “This is an unbelievable tragedy.” Every single person who has provided their assistance is extremely appreciated by us. During this time, we ask that you respect our right to privacy.
The film I Heart Huckabees, which Baena co-wrote with director David O’Russell in 2004, earned him a nomination for a Gotham Award in the category of Best Feature. This achievement brought Baena a great deal of fame.
The films Life After Beth (2014), The Little Hours (2017), and Horse Girl (2020), which will be available on Netflix, are among the numerous films in which he has served as an actor.
In 2011, he and Plaza’s relationship began, and ten years later, they tied the knot.
In an interview that she gave on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Plaza described how she and her partner were living together throughout the lockdown when she became aware that it was their ten-year anniversary. The lockdown occurred in response to the Covid epidemic.
Plaza found a website called “OneHourMarriage.com” and inquired about the possibility of the officiant holding the ceremony at their residence after they had joked that they may be married as a way to celebrate.
After that, Baena left to get a meal delivery, and Plaza went to her neighbor Dandelion, who is a practicing witch, to inquire about the possibility of her doing a spell for her. Dandelion was a neighbor of Plaza’s.
“She walked into her house, searched through the contents, and emerged with a wreath made of rosemary… Plaza recounted that she had placed a love altar in her yard in a very short amount of time.
Following then, the individual who was working on the marriage website appeared wearing a Hawaiian shirt and carrying a briefcase. Due to the fact that it was hazy, I don’t recall much of it. However, I am rather certain that it is within the law.
Plaza had the lead role in the horror-comedy film Life After Beth, which was directed by Baena and was considered for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Additionally, they collaborated on the production of The Little Hours, a medieval dark comedy that starred Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who are married to each other.
In the year 2020, Brie and Plaza once again appeared together in the film Horse Girl, which became the most commercially successful film of Baena’s career. The film tells the story of an introverted young lady whose fantasies gradually begin to take over her life.
Spin Me Round, the most current film directed by Baena, was released in 2022 and also featured Plaza and Brie in various roles.
In the course of the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, which took place on January 5, two days after Baena’s passing, Brady Corbet, the director of The Brutalist, expressed his sympathies to Plaza and Baena’s family when winning the prize for Best Director – Motion Picture.