During a heartfelt moment at the 2025 Golden Globes Awards, The Brutalist director Brady Corbet paid tribute to Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza's late husband, who was a screenwriter and filmmaker. Baena was found dead on Friday, January 3, and his death was ruled a suicide by authorities.
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Brady Corbet, who was nominated alongside other directors such as Jacques Audiard, Edward Berger, and Coralie Fargeat in the Best Director category, closed his acceptance speech with loving words for Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena. "Tonight, my heart is with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff's family," Corbet said. "Goodnight."
Previously during his acceptance speech, he thanked the people behind The Brutalist, which he said had "the odds very much stacked against it." "There are too many to name in the 45 seconds allotted to me here, but I am so grateful to them all. Everyone at A24, Focus Features International, CAA, Post Office, the Hungarian film lab, Kodak, and PhotoChem," Corbet said. He also thanked the cast, the producers, his crew, and his family.
Right before he mentioned Plaza and Baena, he also thanked the people who left while making The Brutalist. "I'd like to take the opportunity to thank and acknowledge three people that I lost while making this picture: my grandfather James, his brother Jerry, and my dear friend Kevin Turn, who I miss every day. I wouldn't be standing here tonight if it were not for their influence," Corbet said, visibly emotional.
Jeff Baena
Jeff Baena was found dead in California. LA County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that he died by suicide, hanging himself on his property in Los Feliz. He was found by an assistant who then called 911, according to The Mirror.
Many were quick to express their condolences toward Aubrey Plaza. She was scheduled to present an award at the Golden Globes. Understandably, she was unable to attend the ceremony given his husband's death.
"No words can touch this painful time. Only love and strength and support from everyone. I am so sorry," one user wrote. "You have carried us through humor for over a decade, please let us carry you in love and support," a second user wrote. A third one said: "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."
Baena and Plaza met in 2011 and later married in 2021, during the COVID pandemic. Aubrey Plaza has not talked publicly about Baena's tragic death.
