Featured Image Credit: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Aubrey Plaza, Sex and Relationships, US News
Olivia Burke
Topics: Celebrity, Aubrey Plaza, Sex and Relationships, US News
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing
Jeff Baena opened up about his relationship with Aubrey Plaza in one of the last interviews before his tragic death.
The director and screenwriter - famed for his work on the likes of The Little Hours, Life After Beth and Joshy - was found dead at his California home on 3 January.
The Los Angeles' County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that the 47-year-old's cause of death was suicide.
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It has since emerged that Baena had separated from Plaza in the months before his passing after experiencing 'marital difficulties'.
A new report from the medical examiner's office obtained by Us Weekly explains that they had split in September 2024 and a month later, the filmmaker made some 'concerning remarks' to his wife.
This prompted White Lotus star Plaza to contact a friend to perform a 'welfare check' on Baena, who began 'attending therapy' in wake of the incident.
Plaza 'last knew her husband to be alive when he sent her a text message' on the morning of his death two months ago, shortly before a dog walker found his body at his home, the report states.
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She first got together with Baena in 2011 after they met while playing a game of Balderdash, according to GQ, before they later got married in 2020.
The couple collaborated on a number of films over the years, including 2014's Life After Beth, followed up by The Little Hours two years later and Spin Me Round in 2022.
During an interview discussing the release of the latter, Baena revealed what it was like to work so closely alongside his spouse.
While sitting down with journalist Jim Alexander to discuss the dark comedy, which would be the final film he directed before his death, the star described Plaza as an 'amazingly talented performer'.
"She's awesome," Baena said of his wife in August 2022. "I mean, I would be working with her if she wasn't my wife... but yeah, luckily she is my wife!
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"We were together for three years before we made Life After Beth together," Baena continued. "I think having that sort of shorthand and that sort of connection, it's amazing.
"There's a handful of directors who have been lucky enough to be with an amazingly talented performer, like (Federico) Fellini and Giulietta Masina. The opportunities to create together and do something creative, where we're both fulfilled - it's like, how rare is that? She's so talented, so I'm really lucky."
Fans of Baena shared their condolences for the filmmaker after watching the footage, while Alexander also shared some further insight into his chat with the late screenwriter.
One person commented: "Rewatching this in honour of Jeff. Rest in peace,: as another said: "RIP Jeff. He seemed like such a genuine soul."
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A third added: "Great interview. Rest in peace Jeff Baena."
And a fourth wrote: "RIP Jeff. My condolences to Aubrey and her family."
Alexander told viewers that Baena was 'very nice and interesting to talk to' while replying to commenters.
"I really enjoyed connecting with Jeff, unfortunately it was the first and only time we got a chance to," the reporter wrote.
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"But yes, very much enjoyed his films and as you can see he seemed like a good guy that was easy and nice to talk to. A genuine person in the industry is hard to find."
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