Aubrey Plaza has issued a brief statement following the reported death of her husband, Jeff Baena, at the age of 47.
A representative for the 40-year-old actress conveyed the following message to DailyMail: “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. We kindly ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
This statement follows Plaza’s absence from her presenting responsibilities at the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday evening.
Aubrey Plaza, 40, was announced as a presenter for the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards in a press release on Friday, the same day that officials from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the tragic death of her husband, Jeff Baena, 47, at a residence in the Los Feliz neighborhood. The cause of death was determined to be suicide by hanging.
Plaza, who had been in a relationship with Baena since 2011 and married him in 2021, had collaborated with her late husband on several films, including Life After Beth (2014), The Little Hours (2017), and Spin Me Round (2022).
Although Plaza was absent from the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, The Brutalist director Brady Corbet, 36, mentioned both her and Baena in his acceptance speech for Best Director.
During his acceptance speech for Best Director at the Golden Globe Awards, Brady Corbet, 36, expressed his condolences, saying, “Finally, tonight my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family – good night.” His words were followed by a poignant moment as the camera focused on a visibly emotional Adrien Brody, 51, in the audience, who struggled to hold back tears.
While Jeff Baena did not receive any Golden Globe nominations throughout his career, he earned two nods for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for his films Joshy (2016) and Life After Beth (2014).
Plaza’s expected attendance at the Golden Globes, often referred to as Hollywood’s Party of the Year, sparked significant discussion on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). Many users expressed that it was clear Plaza should not be expected to participate in the event so soon after the tragic loss of her husband.
One user commented, “Move the f** out because what do you mean you still expect Aubrey Plaza to present on the Golden Globes?”* adding, “Y’all need to chill and let her grieve, not perform.”
Others voiced similar sentiments, stating, “Can we stop acting like Aubrey Plaza owes us a Golden Globes appearance? She’s grieving. Let her be,” while another wrote, “People need to respect her choices.”
In response to suggestions that Plaza attend as a show of strength, another user replied, “She lost her life partner of FOURTEEN years just a few hours ago, she doesn’t need to show up to be viewed as ‘strong,’ she’s grieving and needs to be vulnerable or wherever she chooses to grieve, not to prove anything to you, damn stupid a*****.”*
Criticism also emerged regarding the online reactions to news of Baena’s death, with users calling for more compassion and understanding in light of the tragedy.
One user expressed outrage at the insensitivity surrounding Aubrey Plaza’s recent loss, saying, “Aubrey Plaza’s husband just died, and the amount of ‘oh she’s single’ and ‘what about the Golden Globes’ tweets are sickening. Think before you tweet. I know that’s hard for some of you with the lack of a developed frontal lobe but leave that woman the f** alone right now.”*
Plaza has received an outpouring of support from colleagues and friends following the tragic passing of her husband, Jeff Baena. Among those offering their condolences were actress Julia Fox and Legally Blonde star Selma Blair, who both shared comforting words with the actress-producer.
Baena was discovered deceased early Friday at a Los Angeles residence, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as suicide by hanging.
Blair, 52, left a heartfelt comment on Plaza’s Instagram post from December 24, writing, “No words can touch this painful time.” Fox, 34, added, “Sending you so much love,” accompanied by a dove emoji.
Actress Alison Brie, 42, shared a series of images of Baena on her Instagram Stories, adding a broken heart emoji in tribute. Brie also reposted a statement from actor-comedian Adam Pally, 42, a close friend and collaborator of Baena’s, who praised him both personally and professionally.
“He was a collaborator, a mentor, the scrappiest basketball player with the ugliest jump shot you ever saw,” Pally wrote. “He was a talented director with impeccable taste and vision, he was a connector of people, a fosterer of possibility, the guy who knows where the best restaurant was no matter where you were.”
