Jeff Baena, a screenwriter and director whose works include the offbeat comedies “The Little Hours” and “Life After Beth,” has died. He was 47 years old. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed Baena’s death. His body was discovered Friday in a Los Angeles home. A cause of death could not initially be determined.

Baena was the husband of Aubrey Plaza, who starred in “The Little Hours,” a 2017 black comedy set in a 14th-century monastery, and “Life After Beth,” a zombie satire. “The Little Hours” was loosely inspired by “The Decameron” as well as Baena’s coursework in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Critics praised the film’s modern sensibility and irreverence, while reviewers also praised “Life After Beth” for its idiosyncratic, often hilarious take on a well-worn horror genre.

Baena’s other directing credits include 2022’s “Spin Me Round,” a dark comedy co-written by Allison Brie, and “Joshy,” a dramedy starring Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally and Nick Kroll. Brie and Baena also worked together on Horse Girl, a 2020 psychological drama.

In addition to his directing work, Baena co-wrote “I Heart Huckabees,” a 2004 film by David O. Russell that explored existentialism with humor. Baena’s films have screened at major festivals such as Sundance and South by Southwest and been released by distributors such as Netflix, IFC and Lionsgate.

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

Baena graduated from NYU film school. He started as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis. He then worked as an editorial assistant for Russell before the two men began a writing partnership.

Baena is survived by Plaza, his mother Barbara Stern, his stepfather Roger Stern, his father Scott Baena and his stepmother Michele Baena. Other survivors include his brother, Brad Baena, and his stepsister and brother, Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.