The Disney community is mourning the loss of actress Carla Jeffery, known to millions of fans as Bree in Disney Channel’s ZOMBIES franchise.
Carla Jeffery passed away on September 1, 2026, at just 33 years old.
Her longtime manager, Carla Alexander of Alexanders Talent Management, confirmed the news in a statement shared through Jeffery’s official social media account.
Jeffery had been represented by the agency since she was 12 years old, beginning a career that would eventually span more than two decades and include roles across Disney Channel, film, and television.
Her manager remembered Jeffery as a vibrant and talented woman whose smile could brighten a room, adding that she had become much more than a client over their many years together. Jeffery’s family has asked for privacy as they grieve. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
For a generation of Disney Channel viewers, Jeffery will be best remembered as Bree, the bubbly and fiercely supportive Seabrook High cheerleader introduced in Disney Channel’s ZOMBIES in 2018. Bree was best friends with Addison, played by Meg Donnelly, and quickly became one of the franchise’s familiar faces.
Jeffery returned for ZOMBIES 2 in 2020 and ZOMBIES 3 in 2022, continuing Bree’s story as the world of Seabrook expanded to include werewolves and aliens alongside its original human and zombie residents.
She later continued voicing Bree in animated ZOMBIES projects, including ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series.
Her connection with the franchise continued well beyond the original trilogy. Jeffery attended the world premiere of ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood in July 2025.
Disney Entertainment Television issued its own statement following news of her death, remembering Jeffery for the impact she made both on audiences and those who worked alongside her. The company said her performances had brought joy to millions.
Jeffery began acting when she was just 12 years old. Born July 10, 1993, in Houston, Texas, one of her earliest film appearances came in the 2006 comedy Phat Girlz. She went on to build an extensive television résumé before becoming Bree.
Her credits included appearances on iCarly, Southland, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Men of a Certain Age, Scream Queens, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, American Vandal, and several other television series. Disney Channel viewers may have actually recognized Jeffery before ZOMBIES debuted.
She appeared on Good Luck Charlie in 2011 and Shake It Up in 2012, later appearing in Best Friends Whenever before landing what would become her signature Disney role. Her twin brother, Carlon Jeffery, is also familiar to longtime Disney Channel fans. He played Cameron Parks on the Disney Channel series A.N.T. Farm.
Tributes began appearing shortly after Jeffery’s death was announced. ZOMBIES star Milo Manheim, who played Zed throughout the franchise, remembered Jeffery as one of the sweetest people he had ever met.
Chandler Kinney, who joined the franchise as Willa in ZOMBIES 2, remembered Jeffery as an exceptionally bright and kind presence whose positivity affected the people around her.
Kinney also reflected on how closely Jeffery’s real personality seemed to mirror Bree — the energetic, supportive cheerleader who was always ready to uplift the people around her.
Malachi Barton, who joined the franchise in ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, also shared a tribute, saying Jeffery would be deeply missed.
The response from her co-stars speaks to something fans saw on screen throughout the ZOMBIES franchise: Jeffery brought an unmistakable warmth and energy to Bree.
Outside of acting, Jeffery had publicly spoken about living with epilepsy.She shared her story with the Epilepsy Foundation in 2022, explaining that she began experiencing seizures when she was 18.
For years, Jeffery said she was afraid to talk openly about the condition because she worried it might affect her opportunities as an actress. That eventually changed. Jeffery revealed that she experienced a seizure while working on ZOMBIES, an experience that helped push her toward speaking publicly about epilepsy rather than hiding it.
She subsequently used her platform to encourage others living with disabilities not to allow fear or a diagnosis to stop them from pursuing the things they love. Jeffery also spoke about what it meant to see young Black girls connecting with Bree.
After ZOMBIES became a success and children began dressing as the character, Jeffery said she came to understand that young viewers genuinely saw her as someone they could look up to. That representation became something she hoped to continue providing throughout her career.
Jeffery leaves behind a body of work that will continue introducing her to new generations of Disney fans, and a character that became particularly meaningful to young viewers who saw a little of themselves in Bree.
Our thoughts are with Carla Jeffery’s family, friends, loved ones, and the entire ZOMBIES family during this incredibly difficult time.
Leave a Reply