Director and Husband of Aubrey Plaza Used to be 47

Jeff Baena, a screenwriter and director whose credit come with the offbeat comedies “The Little Hours” and “Lifestyles After Beth,” has died. He was once 47. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Place of job showed Baena’s demise. His frame was once came upon on Friday at a Los Angeles place of abode. A explanation for demise was once no longer instantly to be had.

Baena was once the husband of Aubrey Plaza, who starred in his movies “The Little Hours,” a 2017 black comedy set in a 14th century convent, and “Lifestyles After Beth,” a zombie satire. “The Little Hours” was once loosely impressed by means of “The Decameron,” in addition to Baena’s coursework in Medieval and Renaissance Research. Critics praised the movie’s trendy sensibility and irreverence, whilst reviewers additionally lauded “Lifestyles After Beth” for its idiosyncratic, frequently hilarious, tackle a well-worn horror style.

Baena’s different directing credit come with 2022’s “Spin Me Spherical,” a gloomy comedy that stars Allison Brie, who co-wrote the script, in addition to “Joshy,” a dramedy with Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, and Nick Kroll. Brie and Baena additionally collaborated on “Horse Lady,” a 2020 mental drama.

Along with his directing paintings, Baena co-wrote “I Center Huckabees,” a 2004 David O. Russell movie that tested existentialism with humor. Baena’s movies have been showcased at distinguished gala’s corresponding to Sundance and South by means of Southwest, and have been launched by means of vendors corresponding to Netflix, IFC, and Lionsgate.

For tv, Baena created, wrote, directed and produced “Cinema Toast” for Showtime.

Baena graduated from movie college at NYU. He began out as a manufacturing assistant for Robert Zemeckis. He then labored an assistant editor for Russell sooner than the 2 males started a writing partnership.

Baena is survived by means of Plaza, in addition to his mom Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena. Different survivors come with his brother Brad Baena and stepsister and stepbrother Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.