Aubrey Plaza understandably skipped presenting an award at the 2025 Golden Globes Sunday night, following the suicide of her husband, Jeff Baena, who was found dead in their Los Angeles home on Friday.
While Plaza didn’t attend the awards ceremony, she and Baena’s family received words of love and support from filmmaker Brady Corbet, who mentioned them in his speech when he accepted the best director award for his film “The Brutalist,” Us Weekly reported.
“My heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff’s family,” Corbet said.
The Golden Globes announced on Thursday that Plaza would be among the more than 40 presenters at the 82nd annual awards ceremony. But the next day, Baena, a writer, director and producer for independent films, was found dead, law enforcement sources told TMZ. It was subsequently confirmed that the 47-year-old died by suicide, People reported.
Baena, a graduate of New York University, began his career in Hollywood by working for such famous directors as Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell. He became best known for such projects such as “I Heart Huckabees” — with Russell — and “The Little Hours,” “Horse Girl” and “Spin Me Round.” He often collaborated with Plaza, whom he began dating in 2011.
“My first movie was a big learning experience on all fronts, and so working with her was a benefit because we have a shorthand and a close relationship,” Baena said about working with Plaza on his 2014 directorial debut, the zombie comedy “Life After Beth,” Us Weekly reported. In the 2022 interview with Newsweek, he also said, “As I’ve made more and more stuff, I’ve come to appreciate everything that she brings.”
Baena also created an anthology series titled “Cinema Toast,” which aired on Showtime in 2021 and marked Plaza’s own directorial debut, People reported.
“The White Lotus” star and Baena celebrated their 10th anniversary as a couple by getting married in 2020 during lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic, During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeners Show, the “Parks and Recreation” alum laughingly recalled: “A lot of things happened during COVID for me. Yes, we got married. Big deal.”
“We got a little bored one night,” Plaza continued. “We got married and I’ll tell you how: Onehourmarriage.com. That’s real, look it up.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.