Jeff Baena was an American screenwriter and director who brought a quirky, improvisational spirit to indie films such as Life After Beth (2014), Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017), Horse Girl (2020), and Spin Me Round (2022).
Born on June 29, 1977, in Miami, Florida, Baena studied at NYU Tisch School of the Arts before moving to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking. Known for dark comedies that blended humor with emotional depth, Baena often collaborated with his wife Aubrey Plaza and actress Alison Brie.
On January 3, 2025, Baena tragically died by suicide at his Los Angeles home, aged 47. He left behind a legacy of bold storytelling in American independent cinema.
Jeff Baena Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Jeffrey Lance Baena |
| Date of Birth | June 29, 1977 |
| Age (at death) | 47 years (died January 3, 2025) |
| Profession | Screenwriter, Director, Producer |
| Hometown | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Religion | Secular Jewish |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
Jeff Baena Early Life
Baena grew up in Kendall and Coral Gables, surrounded by Latin and Caribbean culture. His childhood dream was to become a filmmaker, influenced by local art house cinema.
A significant influence on his work came from his parents’ divorce and his stepmother’s mental health struggles under Florida’s Baker Act. These experiences shaped the dark humor and psychological depth of films like Horse Girl.
He attended Killian High School, later studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 1999 with a Film degree and a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Jeff Baena Education
| Institution | Degree/Field | Year |
| Killian High School | High School Diploma | 1995 |
| NYU Tisch School of the Arts | BFA in Film, Minor in Medieval & Renaissance Studies | 1999 |
At NYU, Baena was influenced by filmmakers like Federico Fellini, which later showed in his improvisational directing style and unconventional character studies.
Jeff Baena Family Details
| Relation | Details |
| Relationship Status | Married to Aubrey Plaza (2021–2024, separated) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Barbara Stern (mother), Scott Baena (father, lawyer) |
| Siblings | Brad Baena (brother) |
| Heritage | Great-grandparents were Spanish-speaking Turkish immigrants in New York |
Baena met Aubrey Plaza during a game night in 2011, and they married in 2021. The couple separated in September 2024.
Jeff Baena Career
Baena began as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis on What Lies Beneath and Cast Away (2000). A serious car accident early in his career left him temporarily unable to work, during which he began co-writing with David O. Russell.
This collaboration led to I Heart Huckabees (2004). Over the next two decades, Baena built a reputation for dark, quirky comedies, often allowing actors to improvise and explore surreal themes.
His directorial highlights include:
- Life After Beth (2014) – zombie comedy starring Aubrey Plaza
- Joshy (2016) – ensemble comedy about grief and friendship
- The Little Hours (2017) – medieval satire with a cult following
- Horse Girl (2020) – co-written with Alison Brie, exploring mental illness
- Spin Me Round (2022) – his final film
He also produced the experimental anthology series Cinema Toast (2021).
Career Highlights
| Year | Milestone |
| 2000 | Production assistant on What Lies Beneath and Cast Away |
| 2004 | Co-wrote I Heart Huckabees with David O. Russell |
| 2014 | Directed Life After Beth (Sundance premiere) |
| 2016 | Directed Joshy |
| 2017 | Directed The Little Hours (cult hit) |
| 2020 | Co-wrote & directed Horse Girl |
| 2021 | Produced Cinema Toast |
| 2022 | Released Spin Me Round |
Jeff Baena Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth | $1,000,000 – $3,000,000 (2025) |
| Income Sources | Screenwriting, Directing, Producing |
Controversies
- Horse Girl (2020): Divided audiences with its sensitive yet controversial portrayal of mental illness. Some praised its honesty, while others found it troubling.
- Marital Struggles (2024): Separation from Aubrey Plaza drew public attention. Plaza raised concerns about his well-being, prompting a welfare check.
Jeff Baena Death
On January 3, 2025, Jeff Baena died by suicide at his home in Los Angeles. His death at 47 shocked fans and the indie film community.
Tributes from peers and fans remembered him as a filmmaker who blended humor, vulnerability, and experimentation, leaving a lasting mark on independent cinema.
(Source)
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