US filmmaker Jeff Baena dead at the age of 47

By Barbara Munker

Los Angeles - US director Jeff Baena brought his wife Aubrey Plaza in front of the camera several times for independent films . He also made a name for himself as a screenwriter. Baena has now died at the age of 47.

Jeff Baena (†47) at the premiere of "Spin Me Round" 2022 in West Hollywood.
Jeff Baena (†47) at the premiere of "Spin Me Round" 2022 in West Hollywood.  © Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/dpa

A spokesperson for the filmmaker and the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office confirmed his death, according to US media.

A spokeswoman for Plaza referred to a corresponding report by the film portal"Deadline" when asked by dpa.

According to the coroner's office, Baena was found dead in a house on Friday. The cause of death was initially unknown. He was 47 years old.

Plaza (40, "Parks and Recreation", "The White Lotus") and Baena had married in 2021 after a ten-year relationship.

Plaza starred in Baena's films "Life After Beth" (2014), "The Little Hours" (2017) and "Spin Me Round" (2022), among others.

Aubrey Plaza (40) and Jeff Baena at the premiere of "The Little Hours" at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2017.
Aubrey Plaza (40) and Jeff Baena at the premiere of "The Little Hours" at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2017.  © Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/dpa

Jeff Baena made a name for himself as a screenwriter and film director

Baena was also known in the independent scene as a screenwriter.

Together with director David O. Russell ("Silver Linings", "American Hustle"), he wrote the script for the biting comedy "I Heart Huckabees" (2004) about the search for meaning and life crises, which was filmed with Dustin Hoffman, Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Isabelle Huppert and Lily Tomlin.