Aubrey Plaza, a scheduled presenter at the 2025 Golden Globes, did not attend the event following the death of her husband, Jeff Baena. Baena, an indie screenwriter, died by suicide at the age of 47 in their Los Angeles residence. Plaza, who has not publicly addressed her husband’s passing, had been with Baena for nearly a decade before they got married in 2020. Despite keeping their relationship mostly private, the couple had worked together on several projects such as Life After Beth, The Little Hours, and Spin Me Round.
Plaza and Baena had a close relationship both personally and professionally, with Baena expressing his appreciation for Plaza’s talent and versatility. He noted that working with Plaza was a benefit due to their close relationship and shorthand, allowing them to collaborate effectively on various projects. Baena praised Plaza’s talent, intelligence, and ability to wear multiple hats, including acting, producing, and writing. He described Plaza as insanely talented and acknowledged himself as lucky to have her in his life.
Plaza shared details about their spontaneous marriage during an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show in December 2021, mentioning a website called Onehourmarriage.com where they got married. The couple created a quick love altar in their yard and had a man from Alhambra show up in a Hawaiian shirt with a briefcase to perform the ceremony. Plaza described the experience as somewhat fuzzy but believed it to be legal. They had fun and quirky ways of celebrating their love and shared a unique bond that extended to both their personal and professional lives.
Despite the loss of her husband, Plaza was still listed as a presenter at the Golden Globes, though she did not attend the event. The director of The Brutalist, Brady Corbet, mentioned Plaza and Baena in his acceptance speech, sending love and support to Plaza during a difficult time. Plaza’s absence was noted and her reps were contacted for comment regarding her attendance at the event, but no response was received. Those who are struggling or in crisis are encouraged to seek help through resources such as calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org for support.
The news of Baena’s death came as a shock to many, as Plaza had not publicly addressed the tragic event. The couple had a strong bond and had worked together on several film projects, showcasing their collaboration and mutual appreciation for each other’s talents. Baena had spoken fondly of Plaza in interviews, noting her incredible abilities and the joy of having her in his life. Plaza’s absence from the Golden Globes highlighted the personal tragedy she was facing, with Corbet’s mention of the couple serving as a reminder of the love and support surrounding Plaza during this difficult time.
