Aubrey Plaza Was At NBA Game Without Jeff Banea Days Before Death

Aubrey Plaza appeared to be in good spirits just days before the tragic passing of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena.

As The Blast reported on Saturday, an assistant discovered Baena unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later revealed that he died by suicide.

Following the news, photos have surfaced of Aubrey Plaza attending a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, January 1.

Plaza was joined by comedian Jerrod Carmichael, and the two appeared to share a lighthearted evening courtside. In photos obtained by The New York Post, the pair was seen laughing and smiling throughout the game, with Carmichael — who is openly gay — wrapping his arm around Plaza in a friendly gesture. Plaza kept her look casual yet stylish, wearing a black jacket and an orange hat.

Plaza and Baena began their relationship in 2011 and tied the knot in 2021. Despite being a private couple, Plaza occasionally spoke affectionately about their bond in interviews and on social media.

During an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in 2021, Plaza described their unconventional wedding, sharing, “The marriage was just like a joke that honestly went too far. We got married on a whim. Literally decided at around 5 p.m. and got married at 8:30.”

Per The Independent, she went on to reveal quirky details about their nuptials, explaining, “Jeff got really into tie-dyeing during the quarantine, so I decided that we were going to wear tie-dye pajamas that Jeff had made for us. I had my little rosemary crown and a love altar in the backyard of all of our love objects. It was very witch-core, but it happened.”

Although Plaza has not publicly addressed her husband’s passing, numerous friends and supporters have shared their condolences in the comments of her Instagram posts.

“No words can touch this painful time,” actress Selma Blair wrote in one comments section. “Only love and strength and support from everyone. I am so sorry.”

Model and actor Rain Dove expressed, “Aubrey we love you so much and it’s absolutely devastating to hear the news about your beloved. We truly wish you lots of protection in this time. Take all the space you need to process this. Don’t succumb to and pressure to return to work any sooner than feels right.”

Actress and model Julia Fox said, “Sending you so much love.”

Jeff Baena was an acclaimed American screenwriter and director known for his sharp wit, genre-blending storytelling, and contributions to independent cinema.

Born on June 29, 1977, in Miami, Florida, Baena began his Hollywood career as an assistant to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, gaining valuable industry insight early on. His breakthrough came in 2004 when he co-wrote the dark comedy “I Heart Huckabees” alongside David O. Russell.

In 2014, Baena made his directorial debut with “Life After Beth,” a zombie romantic comedy starring Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan. He went on to direct several well-received indie films, including “Joshy” (2016), a dark comedy exploring grief and friendship; “The Little Hours” (2017), a raunchy medieval satire based on The Decameron starring Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Aubrey Plaza; “Horse Girl” (2020), a psychological drama featuring Alison Brie that delved into themes of mental illness and reality perception; and “Spin Me Round” (2022), a dark romantic comedy once again starring Plaza and Brie.

Baena’s signature style was marked by offbeat humor, emotionally complex characters, and a willingness to explore unconventional narratives.

He frequently collaborated with a close-knit group of actors, including Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, and Dave Franco.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support, 24/7.