Heartbroken Aubrey Plaza issues statement after death of husband Jeff Baena at 47

Actress Aubrey Plaza has issued a statement following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena.

It was confirmed on Friday that the filmmaker had died at the age of 47, with the Los Angeles County medical examiner concluding he took his own life.

The director and screenwriter was found at a home close to the Fern Dell Nature Trail near the Hollywood Hills, which he shared with Plaza.

Speaking out for the first time since the shocking news broke, Plaza and her family said: ‘This is an unimaginable tragedy.

‘We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support.

‘Please respect our privacy during this time.’

Baena worked with Plaza, 40, on the 2014 horror film Life After Beth and the 2017 historical comedy The Little Hours.

They got together romantically around 2011 and married a decade later.

While they always remained a very private couple, the star told The Ellen DeGeneres Show in December 2021 that she and Baena ‘got a little bored one night’ during the Covid pandemic and decided to wed after celebrating their 10th anniversary.

She added that after finding a wedding officiant online to perform the ceremony in their garden, she ‘created a very quick love altar in [their] yard’, and they tied the knot.

Baena was known for writing the 2020 thriller Horse Girl, starring Alison Brie, and the 2022 dark comedy Spin Me Round, both of which he also directed.

He also created the 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees starring Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman, and Mark Wahlberg.

Additionally, Baena created the anthology comedy series Cinema Toast, which included an episode directed by Plaza and another starring Community actress Brie.

Plaza, who rose to fame in the comedy series Parks and Recreation, had been announced as a presenter at Sunday’s Golden Globes ceremony earlier this week before her husband’s death.

She was not present during the ceremony; however, Brutalist filmmaker Brady Corbet used his acceptance speech after winning best director for a motion picture drama to offer his condolences.

‘My heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family,’ he said on stage.

Plaza was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2023 for her role in the second series of HBO dark comedy White Lotus and is also known for Disney+ series Agatha All Along.

Her other acting credits include the hit films Megalopolis, My Old Ass, Ingrid Goes West, Dirty Grandpa, Happiest Season, and Emily the Criminal.

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