Re-interview reveals Jeff Baena received 'death threats'

Acclaimed filmmaker Jeff Brotherswho is best known for Life After Beth and The Little Hours, has died tragically at the age of 47.

Law enforcement sources confirmed that police and firefighters responded to a death investigation call around 10:30 a.m. Friday after Baen's assistant found him unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scenewith authorities later confirming his cause of death as suicide.

Baena, who was married to an actress Aubrey Square since 2020, leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking filmmaking and a relationship that captured the hearts of many, but also provoked an intense reaction from some of Plaza's most loyal fans.

Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011 and remained together until his untimely passing in January 2025. The couple tied the knot in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrating their love in an intimate and uniquely personal ceremony.

“I made a very quick altar of love in our yard. The facts of our love, stones, smoke, fire. Things of that nature,” Plaza shared in the interview Ellen DeGeneres. “Then a man from Alhambra appeared in a Hawaiian shirt with a briefcase (to perform the ceremony). … I don't remember much of it, it was a blur. But I'm pretty sure it's legit.

However, despite their obvious love and devotion to each other, not all of Plaza's fans supported the union. in the 2022 profile with CosmopolitanPlaza revealed the darker side of public reactions to their marriage.

“Oh my god. Jeff got death threats in his DMs,” Plaza shared. “People project so many things into a marriage, but it wasn't a big statement that I was trying to make in a way that I wanted everyone to react to.”

Many of these intense reactions reportedly came from some of Plaza's bisexual fans, who mourned her transition from single to married.

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena shared one of Hollywood's longest and most private long-term romances, which culminated in a top-secret wedding.

According to People magazinePlaza and Baena's paths crossed for the first time in 2011. Although information about their early relationship remains limited, GQ The 2022 Plaza profile revealed a charming tidbit: the couple met playing Balderdash. Their connection blossomed both romantically and professionally, resulting in a creative partnership that spanned more than a decade.

Plaza publicly expressed her admiration for Baena's work several times. In 2021, she shared a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating her husband's achievements. “So proud of my beloved husband @jeffbaena that he's dreamed up another movie that takes us to Italy to cause more trouble,” she wrote, referring to his film Spin Me Round.

Baena was not only Plaza's husband, but also an accomplished filmmaker, screenwriter, and director. After graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, he moved to Los Angeles to launch his career. He worked alongside industry titans like Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell, contributing to films like I Heart Huckabees and Meet the Fockers in 2004.

In 2014, Baena made his directorial debut with the dark comedy Life After Beth, which starred Plaza herself. This marked the beginning of a creative collaboration between the two, which will continue with “Small Hours”, “Horse Girl” and finally “Spin Me Round” in 2022.

Baen is survived by Plaza, his parents, step-fathers and siblings.

So far, Aubrey Plaza has not publicly commented on her husband's passing, and fans around the world expressed his condolences and support for the actress during this heartbreaking time.

However, the announcement has been made Deadline said Saturday that “the family is devastated and asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact a crisis line in your area. Contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 for free and confidential support available 24 hours a day.