Jeff Baena, a screenwriter and director whose credit embody the off-beat comedies “The Little Hours” and “Life After Beth,” has died. He was 47. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Workplace confirmed Baena’s demise. His physique was found on Friday at a Los Angeles residence. A reason for demise was not instantly accessible.
Baena was the husband of Aubrey Plaza, who starred in “The Little Hours,” a 2017 black comedy set in a 14th century convent, and “Life After Beth,” a zombie satire. “The Little Hours” was loosely impressed by “The Decameron,” in addition to Baena’s course work in Medieval and Renaissance Research. Critics praised the movie’s trendy sensibility and irreverence, whereas reviewers additionally lauded “Life After Beth” for its idiosyncratic, typically hilarious, tackle a well-worn horror style.
Baena’s different directing credit embody 2022’s “Spin Me Spherical,” a darkish comedy that stars Allison Brie, who co-wrote the script, in addition to “Joshy,” a dramedy with Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, and Nick Kroll. Brie and Baena additionally collaborated on “Horse Woman,” a 2020 psychological drama.
Along with his directing work, Baena co-wrote “I Coronary heart Huckabees,” a 2004 David O. Russell movie that examined existentialism with humor. Baena’s movies had been showcased at distinguished festivals comparable to Sundance and South by Southwest, and had been launched by distributors comparable to Netflix, IFC, and Lionsgate.
For tv, Baena created, wrote, directed and produced “Cinema Toast” for Showtime.
Baena graduated from movie faculty at NYU. He began out as a manufacturing assistant for Robert Zemeckis. He then labored an assistant editor for Russell earlier than the 2 males started a writing partnership.
Baena is survived by Plaza, in addition to his mom Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena. Different survivors embody his brother Brad Baena and stepsister and stepbrother Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.