We revisit Jeff Beene's career in film before his death at 47

Jeff Brothers wrote and directed several independent TV shows and films his sudden death in January 2025.

“(Directing is) all I ever want to do; it felt really comfortable and fun,” Baena said Thoughtfully in 2014, referring to his directorial debut Life after Beta. “I've been a writer for 12 years and it was always a means to an end, I never wanted to be a writer, I wanted to be a director, so that was always my intention and it just felt right.

Life after Beta with an asterisk Aubrey Squarewho started dating Baen four years earlier. A couple who got married in 2020. later cooperated to the movies Three little hours and Turn me around.

“It's an amazing experience to work with your partner in this way,” said Plaza MovieFreak in 2017. “I have worked with Jeff since his first film. I've seen him develop and I've seen him grow. It's a really special dynamic that we have. It's a challenge at times, but it's also really rewarding do something together“.

Related: Aubrey Plaza and her late husband Jeff Beene's relationship timeline

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena were together for more than a decade before his death in 2025. The couple started dating in 2011, but have never confirmed when they met or when their love story began. Plaza and the Horse Girls director have collaborated on films such as Life After Beth and Joshy in 2016 and (…)

Baena echoed Plaza's sentiment years later, recounting Reel Talker in 2022 that “she is great”.

“I would work with her if she wasn't my wife, but luckily she is,” Baena quipped. “The opportunity to do something creative (together) where we're both happy — how rare is that?”

Brothers died almost three years later In January 2025, at the age of 47. Keep scrolling to revisit his stellar filmography:

“I Heart Huckabees”

Baena produced the 2004 film with David O. Russellwho also served as director. The film played the main role Jude Law, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Schwartzman, Naomi Watts, Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin and Isabella Huppert.

“Life After Beta”

Life after Beta was Baen's directorial debut, which he also wrote before its 2014 release. In addition to the Plaza, the film was screened Dan DeHaan, John Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Anna Kendrick and Matthew Gray Gubler.

“Joshi”

He wrote and directed Joshi in 2016, working with actors Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Brett Gelman, Lauren Graham and Alison Briein addition to the Plaza.

“Jeff (came) to the set community in our sixth season and asked me to play a small part in his film, Joshi,” Brie recalled her work with Baen in a 2022 interview with Collider. “It had no script. All his films that I have been involved in before this one were completely improvised. So, he came to my dressing room (room). We made an appointment and he came to see me. … I knew a lot of the cast in that movie. Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate and Adam Pally were my friends. I just thought, “Yeah, that sounds like fun.” It was one day. I'm in two scenes in that movie. I thought the story was cool. And then it just grew from there. “

Related: Aubrey Plaza's husband, Jeff Baena, has died at the age of 47

UPDATE – January 4, 2024 at 7:01 PM EST: Medical examiner records have been updated to reveal that Baena died by suicide on Friday, January 3 at her residence in Los Angeles, California. Original Story: The Husband of Aubrey Plaza, directed by Jeff Baena. , has died at the age of 47, according to medical examiner records reviewed by Us Weekly. (…)

“The Small Hours”

The following year, Brie and Plaza reunited to play The Nuns in 2017 Small hours. bree husband Dave Francoalso starred in the film as well Kate Micucci, Fred Armisen, Jemima Kirke and Nick Offerman.

Brie told Collider in 2022 that Baena pitched in Small hours on the phone with him and Franco, who were both excited to work on a completely improvised film.

“Horse Girl”

Brie led Baen again Horse girlwhich debuted in 2020. The film also featured Shannon, Goldenite, Stella Chestnut, John Ortiz and Debbie Ryan.

“Dave and me lived quite close to Jeff and Aubrey. Jeff and I started hiking pretty regularly, like friends, and we would talk about different ideas during those long hikes,” Bree told Collider two years later. “Eventually I felt comfortable enough with him to talk to him about my idea Horse girlwhich we co-wrote and produced together. It was such a good experience. “

“Cinema Toast”

Baena created and produced an eclectic 2021 TV lineup with episodes starring Brie, Christina Ricci, Chloe Fineman, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Jake Johnson.

“This project is right up my alley. I just loved the concept of it,” Plaza said AwardsWatch in 2021. “It almost felt like a new art form to me, like it's not just dubbing a movie, it's creating a new movie out of old stuff, and I don't know, there's something very film noir and nerdy about it. it. For me, it spoke to my film school brain.

'Spin Me Round'

The brothers wrote the year 2022 Turn me around with Brie, who also starred in the romantic comedy with Plaza. Other performers are also included Jake Picking, Lil Rel Howery, Ego Nwodim, Alessandro Nivola and Zach Woods.

“It's an insane benefit when the person you're working with in all areas is also on the other side of the camera,” Baena said. AV Club In August 2022, collaborating with the film's leading lady, Brie. “Because in addition to understanding where the script is coming from and what the intent is, they can also set the tone in terms of acting.”