Aubrey Plaza’s husband Jeff Baena’s ‘life too short’ was honored in obituary

Jeff Baena is fondly remembered after his “sudden and unexpected death”.

A new obituary of the deceased director published in the magazine ” Miami Herald after his death committed suicide at the age of 47 Jan. 3 describes him as “a beloved son, husband, brother, uncle and friend to many.”

“Jeff left us too soon, but despite his woefully too short life, he left us treasured memories of a talented filmmaker and a special person on so many different levels,” it said.

The obituary describes the early and later life of Baena, who was also a husband Aubrey Squareincluding roots in Miami, education at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and eventual move to Los Angeles to pursue his filmmaking dreams.

After honoring his penchant for being “a true relationship builder with a gift for bringing people together on and off the set,” the obituary reads in part: “When he was a boy, Jeff loved to read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Ironically, the Little Prince exclaims: “I don’t have much time. I have friends to make and lots of things to learn. And that was the case with Jeff.”

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“Jeff is survived by his wife Aubrey Plaza, parents Barbara Stern (Roger) and Scott Baena (Michele), brother Brad (Ivette), half-sister Bianca Gabay (Maurice), half-brother Jed Fluxman (Nicole); nephews Jake Baena and Leo Fluxman; nieces Brielle Baena, Ava and Olivia Gabay,” he continued. “Jeff joins his beloved Stevie.”

The obituary ends: “We will always love Jeff and miss him dearly. His presence, and his work, made the world feel better. He had so much more to offer. Unfortunately, it’s all gone. Sweet dreams, our little prince. “

Baena was a screenwriter and director, whose credits include: I love Huckabees (2004), Life after Beth (2014), Horse girl (2020) i Spin me (2022), his last film. He and Plaza, who has starred in most of his films, started dating in 2011 she got married in 2021.

Plaza and Baena’s family spoke about his death in a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, January 6, which read:This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are extremely grateful to everyone who offered support. We ask you to respect our privacy during this time.”

Baena’s loved ones honored him at a funeral in Miami on Friday, January 10. It is not known whether Plaza, 40, was among them.

He was among those who paid tribute to Baena after his death Jake Johnsonwho starred with Plaza in the 2012 independent film Security is not guaranteed and in Baena’s 2016 film Joshy.

“I love you, Jeff. I hate your last move. But I still love you,” Johnson, 46, wrote Instagram post containing two photos of Baena on Tuesday, January 7.

Adam Pali he also reflected on the life of Baena – his friend and frequent collaborator with whom we worked Life after Beth, Joshy and 2017 Small hours – In A tribute on Instagram to the deceased director on Sunday, January 5.

“He was a gifted director with impeccable taste and vision, a connector of people, a promoter of opportunity, a guy who knew where the best restaurant was no matter where you were,” wrote Pally, 42. “An extremely gracious host with an almost disturbing open policy. doors, film encyclopedia and most importantly to me, a friend”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line to 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.