Aubrey Plaza Calls Husband Jeff Banea’s Death ‘Unimaginable Tragedy'

Aubrey Plaza has broken her silence on the sudden passing of her husband Jeff Baena.

The director's assistant reportedly found Baena dead inside his Los Angeles home last Friday morning (Jan. 3), according to TMZ. Police officials who spoke to the outlet confirmed the director died by suicide, although the exact circumstances around his death are unknown. He was 47.

Plaza, who skipped out on 2024 Golden Globes presenting duties over the weekend, issued a statement on Monday (January 6), per Variety.

"This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support," Plaza stated, in partnership with the Baena and Stern family. "Please respect our privacy during this time."

Honoring Plaza during the Golden Globes on Sunday night (January 5), was Brady Corbet, who won Best Director of a Motion Picture for The Brutalist.

"Finally, tonight, my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff's family," Corbet concluded his acceptance speech.

Plaza and Baena, who dated for 11 years, married in 2021 after Plaza led Baena directed-films Life After Beth and The Little Hours.

In a 2021 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Plaza shared that she and Baena wed "on a whim" in a private ceremony during the pandemic.

Baena gained prominence for co-writing the 2004 independent film I Heart Huckabees. He went on to direct Joshy, Hours, Horse Girl, and his final movie, Spin Me Round. In addition, Baena directed Cinema Toast, a former Showtime anthology series.