Jeff Baenathe acclaimed filmmaker behind films like Life After Beth and The Little Hours, has tragically died.

Law enforcement sources confirmed that police and firefighters responded to a death investigation call around 10:30 a.m. Friday after a deputy found Baena unresponsive.

Jeff Baena was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jeff Baena’s cause of death revealed

TMZ reports that Baena, who is married to the actress Aubrey Plazadied by suicide Friday morning at his home in the Los Angeles area.

A graduate of New York University’s film program, Baena began his Hollywood journey working with renowned directors Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell.

His collaboration with Russell proved to be a turning point in his career. He co-wrote four screenplays, including the 2004 cult film “I Heart Huckabees,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin.

Social media is reacting to the heartbreaking news

His death is a great loss for the film industry and for those who knew him personally. His creative voice and distinctive vision will be sorely missed by fans, colleagues and loved ones alike.

“Oh god I hope she’s okay,” one user said, thinking of Aubrey during this difficult time.

“What terrible news,” said another X user. “Prayers with Aubrey Plaza and all who knew and loved Baena.”

“Wow. Very young,” wrote a third. “Prayers up.”

“Terrible. Sending my condolences,” another social media user expressed as someone else chimed in, “fucking prayers to her and his family.”

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena met in 2014

In 2014, Baena made his directorial debut with the horror comedy Life After Beth, starring John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon and Aubrey Plaza. The film marked the beginning of a fruitful professional and personal relationship with Plaza, who later starred in several of Baena’s films.

Baena continued his success as a director with Joshy, The Little Hours and Horse Girl, cementing his reputation for unique storytelling and genre-bending narratives.

The couple ties the knot

In 2021, Plaza announced via Instagram that she and Baena had tied the knot after nearly a decade of dating. Best known for her breakout role as April Ludgate on “Parks and Recreation,” Plaza has since built a successful career with roles in “Emily the Criminal” and “The White Lotus.”

Since then, Aubrey has occasionally mentioned Jeff in interviews, particularly while promoting “Spin Me Round”. In conversation with PeopleShe shared, “It was very hectic while we were filming the show because we were in quarantine and Jeff, he created the show; it was his idea. Our house became this weird post-production facility and he’s downstairs doing his zooms or his meetings and I’m upstairs editing, we just go back and forth.

She added: “We were quarantined like everyone else for months. And we enjoyed it. I think it was obviously different than all the catastrophic things that happen in the world, just on a personal level, relationship level, somehow.” Nice, just having to stay in one place for so long, I guess it could have gone either way.

“I think when you’re with someone who’s in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level. “So obviously you’re able to support each other and really understand the journey that we’re both on,” the actress concluded.

Aubrey Plaza reflects on her relationship with Jeff

While promoting “The White Lotus,” where she portrays a woman in a strained relationship frustrated by a vacation with a seemingly perfect couple, she reflected on her own relationship, saying, “I’ve been with mine for 12 years man together. I can relate to that.” to being in a relationship that has its ups and downs, going through a rough patch, and comparing yourself to another couple that seems perfect.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact a crisis hotline near you. In the US, you can call Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 at 988 for free, confidential support.