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Celebrity Deaths: 2025’s Fallen Stars
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena were navigating marital struggles before tragedy struck.
The couple, who wed in 2021 after 10 years together, separated months before the Spin Me Round director’s death by suicide in January, according to a Medical Examiner’s report obtained by TMZ. In the report, authorities said Baena, who was 47, and the White Lotus star had separated in September when she moved to New York.
Despite the separation, police said the estranged couple spoke on the phone the night before his death, per TMZ’s docs. Additionally, Plaza, 40, told authorities she received a text message from Baena—in what would be his final communication to her—hours before he was pronounced dead, according to the outlet.
In the filing, the Medical Examiner also noted that the film director was found dead by his dog walker. The dog walker entered the home after hearing loud music coming from inside, the outlet reported.
The film director was found dead in his Los Angeles home Jan. 3, according to records viewed by E! News. Three days later, Plaza addressed his passing in a joint statement with his family, including mom Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena.
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“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” they said in the statement obtained by E! News at the time. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Plaza made an understated return to the spotlight over a month later, during Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special, having previously worked as an SNL intern and an NBC Page. As she introduced Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s performance of Sinéad O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” she wore a black blazer over a tie-dye shirt as a subtle tribute to her late husband’s pandemic-era hobby.
Other stars who honored Baena following his death include Molly Shannon, Alison Brie and Jake Johnson, who shared a succinct tribute to the filmmaker on social media.
“I love you Jeff,” the New Girl alum wrote on Instagram. “Hate your last move. But still love you.”
For a closer look at Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena’s relationship, keep reading…
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE
2011: Start Dating
While Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena didn't share much insight into the early days of their romance, they started dating in 2011 after meeting during a game of Balderdash.
But one thing the Parks & Recreation star divulged is that from the start, they bonded over movies.
“We’re so obsessed with movies,” she told Page Six in 2017. “That’s why we’re making movies together.”
data-hook="adp-photo-agency">Photo by Chad Hurst/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival
2014: Collaborate on Life After Beth
It wasn’t until three years into their relationship that they made their first movie together, Life After Beth, which marked Jeff’s directorial debut.
Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival
2019: A Rare Romance Update
While she and Jeff generally kept their romance out of the public eye, Aubrey admitted that having a partner in the entertainment industry has some benefits.
“I think that when you’re with someone that is in your field, they understand what you’re dealing with on a deeper level,” she told People in June 2019. “So obviously you are able to support each other and really understand kind of the journey that we’re both on.”
But that’s not to say it doesn’t take its own work.
“So I think that can be really great,” the Child’s Play alum noted. “But, you know, working with your partner can always be challenging. There’s a lot of things we do separately and I think that it’s all about balance."
Aubrey Plaza/Instagram
2021: Aubrey Confirms Marriage
After a decade together, Aubrey confirmed she and Jeff had tied the knot while giving him a rare shoutout on social media—and teasing their fourth movie together, Spin Me Round.
“So proud of my darling husband @jeffbaena for dreaming up another film that takes us to italia to cause some more trouble,” she wrote that May. “excited to be reunited with the amazing @alisonbrie (who also co-wrote this one!) and @theofficialsuperstar @sordociego @lauren_weedman and so many more fun people in this. Preparati!!”
Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
2022: Jeff Shares Insight Why He and Aubrey Work So Well Together
After making several movies with his wife, Jeff made it clear that he’s not just her husband or director, he’s her No. 1 fan.
“She’s awesome,” he explained on the Reel Talker podcast in 2022. “I’d be working with her if she wasn’t my wife, but luckily she is my wife,” Baena told Reel Talker in 2022. “The opportunity to do something creative where we’re both fulfilled. How rare is that?”
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
2022: Their Final Film Together
Three years before Jeff's sudden death at age 47, he and Aubrey worked on their fourth and final film together, Spin Me Round. During their 14 years together, they also made The Little Hours and she appeared in his 2016 film Joshy.
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