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Aubrey Plaza is grieving after her husband Jeff Baena's death. For the first time since Baena, her longtime partner and husband of five years, died at age 47, the Parks and Recreation alumnus made her voice heard. Together with his family—father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, stepfather Roger Stern, and mother Barbara Stern—she released a statement.
"This is an unimaginable tragedy," said a statement from Plaza and the Baena/Stern family that E! News was able to get on January 6. "We sincerely appreciate all of the support that we have received. Please be mindful of our privacy at this time.
The screenwriter committed suicide on January 3, according to Los Angeles medical examiner records that E! News was able to read.
In the wake of the incident, Plaza did not appear at the 2025 Golden Globes, where she was scheduled to host on January 5. During the ceremony, her peers honored her. Brady Corbet, the 2025 Golden Globe winner for Best Director, concluded his remarks by stating, "Tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family."
Many of the director's coworkers, notably Adam Pally, have paid heartfelt homage to him in addition to Corbet.
According to the actor, who starred in Baena's movies Life After Beth, The Little Hours, and Joshy, "Jeff Baena was a sweet, Jewish boy from Miami," posted on Instagram on January 5. "He was a collaborator, a mentor, the scrappiest basketball player with the ugliest jump shot you ever saw."
Pally went on to say, "He was a gifted director with impeccable taste and vision." "He fostered opportunities, connected people, and knew where the best restaurant was no matter where you were. A cinematic encyclopedia, an exceedingly kind host with an almost unsettling open-door policy, and—most importantly for me—a friend."
"You never worried that Jeff wasn't telling you the way it is," he said. "Because Jeff's virtue was telling you the way it was."
"My heart breaks for my friend Aubrey and the Baena family and for all of us who spent time on his sets or at his house or in his orbit," Pally said. "Thanks for believing in me, Jeff. May your memory be a blessing."
Molly Shannon, an actress who often worked with Baena, praised Pally for his message.
"Adam this is the best tribute and describes jeff perfectly," she said. "His films were really unique. In addition to being a talented writer and filmmaker, he also had a remarkable eye for detail. And his work endures since he was so considerate and compassionate to bring everyone together (nearly usually in Italy!). His legacy endures forever.
