Celebrities React to Aubrey Plaza’s Husband Jeff Baena’s Death

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Celebrities are expressing their sorrow and support for Aubrey Plaza following the unexpected death of her husband, Jeff Baena.

“No words can capture this challenging moment,” actress Selma Blair commented on Plaza’s latest Instagram update on Saturday, January 4. “Only love and strength shown by all around you. I am truly sorry.”

Julia Fox, another actress, also offered her sympathies in the comments, stating, “Sending you so much love” along with a dove emoji.

On Sunday, January 5, Alison Brie, who collaborated with Baena and Plaza on multiple projects, shared a collection of photographs on her Instagram Stories that included the late filmmaker. She included a broken heart emoji with one image that depicted the couple posing together.

According to records examined by Us Weekly, the indie screenwriter and film director was found deceased on Friday, January 3. The records indicated the cause of death as suicide, and a medical exam was performed. No other unique circumstances or causes of death were mentioned. The news of Baena’s death was first reported by Deadline and TMZ.

Plaza, who is 40, first encountered Baena in 2011. Although they maintained a relatively low profile regarding their relationship, the Parks and Recreation actress confirmed in 2020 that they married during the COVID-19 lockdown. “One night we got a bit bored,” Plaza remembered on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in December 2021. “We ended up getting married, and I’ll tell you how: Onehourmarriage.com. It’s real, look it up.”

Baena was best recognized for co-writing the 2004 feature film I Heart Huckabees, which received a nomination for a Gotham Award for Best Feature that same year. He also joined forces with Plaza on Life After Beth, a 2014 horror/comedy that marked his directorial debut.

“She’s amazing. I would still work with her if she weren’t my wife, but fortunately she is my wife,” Baena told Reel Talker in August 2022. “Getting the chance to create something where both of us are satisfied — how often does that happen?”

While Plaza has not yet made a public statement regarding her husband’s death, numerous Hollywood figures and celebrities have stepped forward to support her during this devastating period, reflecting on Baena’s life and legacy. Here are a few who have offered their public condolences.

Adam Pally

The actor and comedian paid tribute to Baena in an Instagram post on Sunday, January 5. Along with several images of the late filmmaker, Pally shared a heartfelt message extending his sympathies to Plaza.

“Jeff Baena was a kind Jewish boy from Miami. He was a collaborator, a mentor, the scrappiest basketball player with the most awkward jump shot imaginable. He was a gifted director with exceptional taste and vision, a person who brought people together, a nurturer of possibilities, the one who knows where the best restaurant is no matter your location,” Pally expressed in a screenshot included in his Instagram post.

“An exceptionally accommodating host with what could be viewed as an unsettling open-door approach, a comprehensive film aficionado, and most importantly, a companion,” he expressed in the statement. “As a filmmaker, Jeff sought authenticity in every aspect. Nothing should sound, appear, or feel disingenuous, which directly reflected his true nature. Genuine. You never had to doubt that Jeff was being candid with you. For honesty was one of Jeff’s greatest traits. My heart aches for my friend Aubrey and the Baena family, as well as for all of us who were fortunate to spend moments on his film sets, at his home, or within his sphere. Thank you for believing in me, Jeff; may your memory serve as a blessing.”

Selma Blair

Right after the news of Baena's demise was revealed, the Cruel Intentions actress left a heartfelt remark on Plaza’s most recent Instagram update.

“There are no words to alleviate this sorrowful time,” she expressed. “Just love, strength, and support from everyone. I am deeply sorry.”

Molly Shannon

The former Saturday Night Live cast member shared a series of photos featuring Breana on her Instagram, tagging the deceased screenwriter and adding a broken heart emoji. Plaza appeared in multiple shots, including one of Shannon and The White Lotus star smiling together, as well as an image of Plaza sitting next to her late husband.

Brie, actress Olivia Munn, and other stars contributed broken heart emojis in the comments of Shannon's post.

Julia Fox

The actress and style icon offered a brief but heartfelt message on Plaza’s recent Instagram post, writing, “Sending you so much love,” along with a dove emoji.

Alison Brie

Brie collaborated with Plaza and her late spouse on various projects, such as the film Joshy.

“Jeff came to the set of Community during our sixth season and invited me to take on a minor role in his film, Joshy,” Brie reminisced about her collaboration with Baena in a 2022 interview with Collider. “There was no existing script at the time. All the films I had worked on with him before this one were entirely improvised. He visited my dressing room, we arranged a meeting, and he came to see me. … I was familiar with many cast members involved in that movie. Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, and Adam Pally were friends of mine. I thought, ‘Of course, that sounds like fun.’ It was just for one day. I appeared in two different scenes in that film. I found the storyline intriguing, and it just developed from there.”

On Sunday, January 5, Brie posted a series of images on her Instagram Stories featuring the late filmmaker, which included pictures of the two of them together. In the first image, she added a broken heart emoji.

Debby Ryan

The actress took to Instagram on June 29, six months after Baena’s death, to share an emotional tribute to her late friend and professional collaborator. The post was uploaded on what would have been Baena’s 48th birthday.

“Happy birthday Jeff ✨Bear with me, I’ve never been a public griever, and have a hard time sharing fragile feelings with strangers. Meanwhile I’ve thought about him every day for the past six months,” Ryan captioned a carousel of images that charted their friendship. “Months of discoveries of the things he left behind; and the gifts he continues to give me and those who he shone his light on. Thanks for all of it, Jeff. Love you dude. ✨ and happy birthday.”