Jeff Baena Net Worth: How Rich was the Filmmaker Actually?

Jeff Baena was a famous American screenwriter and filmmaker. He was known for his unique, poignant storytelling skills in movies such as The Little Hours and Life After Beth. Baena’s movies often explored unconventional themes, and he frequently collaborated with actress Alison Brie and Aubrey Plaza. Jeff Baena net worth at the time of his passing was around $5 million.

Early Life

Jeff Baena was born in June 1977 to Scott Baena and Barbara Stern. He grew up in a supportive family in Miami, Florida. His dad was an attorney and his mom was an educator. Growing up in a nurturing atmosphere, he got to explore his interests, especially in movies and storytelling. Baena’s parents separated when he was young. He grew up with three siblings; Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman are his stepsiblings, and Brad is his brother.

Baena developed a passion for cinema from an early age, getting influenced by the movies A Clockwork Orange and 8 ½. Baena graduated in Arts from the Tisch School of the New York University. There, he worked on his filmmaking skills. Baena received encouragement from his parents to develop his unique voice by taking risks in the entertainment world.

Career

Jeff Baena started his career in the movie industry after moving to Los Angeles after graduating from New York University. Initially, he faced challenges while establishing himself in a competitive Hollywood scene. He served as a production assistant for famous director Robert Zemeckis on the movie What Lies Beneath. This opportunity gained him valuable insights into the filmmaking process.

Baena struggled for a certain time as he was not getting the opportunity to write and direct. He got his big break after collaborating as an assistant editor with David O. Russell. Baena and Russell worked together for over a year and after that, he went through a minor car accident that affected one of his eyes. As he was recovering, Russell used to discuss story ideas with him. The two eventually ended up creating four scripts together.

In 2004, Russell directed the movie black comedy movie, I Heart Huckabees. Baena co-wrote the film’s screenplay and plot. The movie turned out to be a big critical success. Jeff was about to make a comedy-drama movie, Joshy with actor Adam Pally. But, unfortunately, the project could not go on the floor due to Adam’s unavailability. Meanwhile, he was working on a script for a zombie comedy-based story. Jeff eventually decided to make a movie on it and made his directorial debut with Life After Beth in 2003.

The horror-comedy genre movie starring his wife, Aubrey Plaza garnered positive reviews. He was able to impress critics with his unique blend of horror and horror. Additionally, the movie showcased his skill in developing quirky narratives that connected well with audiences. Following that, Jeff continued to impress with his next movies such as Joshy, Horse Girl, and The Little Hours. Baena was highly praised for featuring dark humor and unconventional themes.

Jeff was involved in several projects before his untimely passing on January 3, 2025. His last project was Spin Me Round, which was released in 2022. The movie premiered at many prestigious festivals like South by Southwest and Sundance. Throughout his career, he collaborated with his partner, Aubrey Plaza on multiple projects.

Personal Life

Jeff Baena was married to actress, Aubrey Plaza. After being married in 2021, the couple has remained together until his demise.They were connected to each other both personally and professionally. Plaza starred in several of Baena’s movies including Life After Beth and The Little Hours. They were recognized as one of the celebrated couples in the Indie movie scene. The couple started dating in 2011 and within a short time developed a strong bond.

Baena and Plaza kept their relationship private at an earlier stage. In interviews, Aubrey mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, their relationship became stronger as they spent extended time and got to know each other well during lockdowns. The pair eventually exchanged wedding vows in a small ceremony. In May 2021, Plaza referred to Baena as her hubby via social media post.

The pair shared the same passion for filmmaking and had worked closely on multiple projects including the 2022 movie Spin Me Around. As of his passing, they didn’t have any kids. Baena tragically passed away at the age of 47 on January 3, 2025.

His assistant found his body in his Los Angeles home. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office examined his body and concluded that he took his life by hanging. Aubrey is yet to reveal a public statement regarding Baena’s passing. On the other hand, his family has released a statement requesting to maintain privacy during this difficult stage.

Jeff Baena Net Worth

Jeff Baena net worth was nearly $5 million at the time of his passing. His wealth stemmed from his successful career as a writer and director. Jeff’s financial achievements can be attributed to his many commercially successful movies. He gained widespread recognition after directing Life After Beth in 2014. Since then, he has directed many outstanding movies which enhanced his reputation and financial standing.

While exact salary figures for a director and writer are not publicly disclosed. He was likely earning between $100,000 and $500,000 per movie. As he has collaborated with renowned actors like Alison Brie and Aubrey Plaza, it is reasonable to predict that he accumulated substantial earnings from each project.

Baena owned a stylish home in Los Angeles where he was living with his wife, Aubrey Plaza. The residential property features cozy interiors and has modern architecture. The real value of the property is not available but, it is likely that the house was valued in the millions. Baena likely owned reliable and expensive high-end cars; however, there is a limited detail available regarding his car collection.