Disney’s ‘ZOMBIES’ Actress Carla Jeffery, Known for Playing Bree, Dies at 33
The entertainment world is mourning the death of actress Carla Jeffery, best known for portraying the cheerful and energetic character Bree in Disney’s popular ZOMBIES film franchise.
Jeffery died on September 1, 2026, at the age of 33, according to a statement released by her talent management team. Her death was announced publicly the following day, prompting an outpouring of grief from fellow actors, colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment community.
The announcement came as a shock to many who had followed Jeffery’s career, particularly audiences who knew her through the ZOMBIES movies and its animated projects.
Her management team did not disclose a cause of death and asked the public to respect the privacy of her family and loved ones as they mourn.
Carla Jeffery Dies at 33
Jeffery’s death was confirmed through a statement from her longtime management representative, Carla Alexander.
The statement described the actress as a talented, vibrant and warm-hearted person whose personality made a lasting impression on those around her. Alexander also revealed that Jeffery had been represented by the management company since she was just 12 years old.
Over more than two decades, the relationship had developed into something much deeper than a professional association.
Jeffery’s management team described her as more than a client and emphasized the close bond that had developed throughout her career.
The announcement also highlighted her infectious smile, laughter and talent, while expressing condolences to her relatives, friends and everyone who had worked with her.
No official cause of death was provided in the announcement, and further details surrounding the circumstances of her passing have not been made public.
Fans Remember Her as Bree From ‘ZOMBIES’
For many younger viewers, Carla Jeffery will forever be associated with Bree, the lively cheerleader from the ZOMBIES franchise.
The first ZOMBIES movie was released in 2018, introducing audiences to a fictional world where humans and zombies attempt to live together in the community of Seabrook.
Jeffery played Bree, a student at Seabrook High and a close friend of Addison, the character portrayed by Meg Donnelly.
Bree's personality was energetic, humorous and enthusiastic, making her one of the recognizable supporting characters in the franchise.
Jeffery returned as Bree for ZOMBIES 2, released in 2020, and ZOMBIES 3, released in 2022.
Her connection to the character continued beyond the live-action films. She also provided the voice of Bree in ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series, allowing her to remain part of the franchise as it expanded into animation.
Through the role, Jeffery became familiar to an international audience and developed a particularly strong connection with younger viewers.
Her portrayal helped establish Bree as a memorable part of the fictional Seabrook community, and her work became an important part of the franchise's continuing story.
Her Co-Stars Pay Tribute
News of Jeffery’s death was met with emotional reactions from several of her former co-stars.
Milo Manheim, who played Zed in the ZOMBIES movies, expressed his sadness following the announcement.
Manheim remembered Jeffery as an exceptionally kind person and shared a brief but emotional tribute expressing his love for his former co-star.
Chandler Kinney, who joined the franchise as Willa in ZOMBIES 2 and ZOMBIES 3, also paid tribute to Jeffery.
Kinney remembered her as someone whose presence could brighten an entire room and praised her kindness and character.
Other members of the ZOMBIES cast and creative community also expressed shock and sadness following the announcement.
The reactions reflected the personal relationships Jeffery developed during her years in the entertainment industry, particularly through her long association with the ZOMBIES franchise.
Disney Mourns the Actress
Disney Entertainment Television also released a statement honoring Jeffery following her death.
The company praised her talent, warmth and spirit, noting the lasting impression she made on people who had the opportunity to work with her.
The statement also recognized her ability to connect with audiences and highlighted qualities such as her generosity, humor and positive personality.
Her death is particularly significant to fans of the ZOMBIES franchise because Jeffery was part of the series from its early days and continued contributing to the character of Bree across multiple productions.
Carla Jeffery Began Acting as a Child
Although Jeffery became widely recognized for ZOMBIES, her acting career began many years before she landed the role of Bree.
Born in Houston, Texas, on July 10, 1993, Jeffery entered the entertainment industry at a very young age.
She began acting professionally at approximately 12 years old, appearing in the 2006 comedy film Phat Girlz, alongside actress Mo'Nique.
Starting her career as a child performer, Jeffery gradually built experience across film and television.
Her early work opened the door to appearances on a variety of popular television productions and allowed her to establish herself as a versatile performer.
Television Career Before ‘ZOMBIES’
Before becoming known around the world for ZOMBIES, Jeffery appeared in a wide range of television programs.
Among her early television credits was an appearance on iCarly.
She also appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she played Keysha Black and appeared across multiple episodes.
Her other television work included appearances on Southland, Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up, Scream Queens, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Suburgatory, American Vandal, and other productions.
Her work across different genres demonstrated her ability to move between comedy, family entertainment and more mature television projects.
She was also featured in several productions connected to children's and young-adult audiences, making her particularly recognizable among viewers who grew up watching Disney and other youth-oriented programming.
A Long Relationship With Her Talent Management Team
One of the most striking details in the announcement of Jeffery’s death was the length of her relationship with her management team.
According to her representative, Jeffery joined the company when she was only 12 years old.
That meant the professional relationship continued for more than two decades, covering much of her childhood, teenage years and adult acting career.
For her representative, the loss was therefore not simply the death of a professional client but the passing of someone who had been part of the management team's life for many years.
The tribute emphasized how the young performer grew into an accomplished actress and a woman remembered for her personality as much as her professional achievements.
Jeffery Was Also the Twin Sister of Actor Carlon Jeffery
Carla Jeffery was also part of an acting family.
She was the twin sister of actor Carlon Jeffery, who also established a career in television.
Carlon became known to Disney audiences for playing Cameron Parks on the Disney Channel sitcom A.N.T. Farm.
The siblings therefore shared a connection to the Disney entertainment world, although they pursued their own individual careers.
Carla's career eventually became strongly associated with the ZOMBIES franchise, while her brother became known for his role on A.N.T. Farm and other acting projects.
Her Work Extended Beyond the ‘ZOMBIES’ Films
Although the ZOMBIES franchise became the defining project of Jeffery's career, her professional work was not limited to the three movies.
She continued to appear in television productions and other entertainment projects after establishing herself as Bree.
She also returned to the role through animation, voicing Bree in ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series.
The animated project gave audiences another opportunity to hear Jeffery's interpretation of the character and allowed her contribution to the franchise to continue beyond the original film trilogy.
Her work demonstrated how a role initially introduced as part of a supporting cast could become an enduring part of a larger entertainment franchise.
Jeffery’s Impact on Young Audiences
Beyond her acting credits, Jeffery's career carried significance for many young viewers who saw themselves represented on screen.
In later interviews, she spoke about the importance of inspiring young Black girls.
She recalled the emotional impact of seeing young fans dress up as Bree and recognizing that children were looking at her character as someone they admired.
For Jeffery, that experience appeared to change the way she viewed her own place in the entertainment industry.
Rather than simply seeing herself as an actress performing a role, she recognized that her work could influence and encourage young people.
Her portrayal of Bree gave audiences a character who was lively, friendly and confident, while Jeffery's presence within the franchise helped make the role memorable.
She Spoke Openly About Living With Epilepsy
Jeffery had also publicly discussed living with epilepsy and used her experiences to encourage greater openness around disabilities.
She previously explained that she began experiencing seizures at the age of 18.
Like many people living with a medical condition, she initially worried about how revealing it might affect her career.
She said she had once been concerned that having epilepsy could interfere with auditions or work on a film or television set.
However, she later became more comfortable discussing the condition and encouraged others not to allow their circumstances to prevent them from pursuing their ambitions.
Jeffery also recalled experiencing a seizure while working on ZOMBIES, after which she woke up in an ambulance.
That experience contributed to her decision to speak more openly about epilepsy and to use her public platform to encourage others.
Her message was centered on continuing to pursue one's goals despite challenges and refusing to allow a disability to completely define a person's identity.
A Career Built Over More Than Two Decades
Jeffery's career spanned more than 20 years.
She began working professionally as a child and continued appearing in television and film productions through adulthood.
Her journey took her from early appearances in productions such as Phat Girlz and Curb Your Enthusiasm to roles in Disney Channel programming and ultimately the ZOMBIES franchise.
Her career is notable not only because of the number of projects she appeared in, but also because she successfully transitioned from being a child performer into an adult actress.
That transition can be challenging in the entertainment industry, where many young performers struggle to maintain long-term careers.
Jeffery, however, continued securing roles and remained active in the industry for many years.
Her Final Years Included a Return to the ‘ZOMBIES’ World
Jeffery remained connected to the franchise that made her widely known.
She participated in the animated ZOMBIES project and was also part of the broader world surrounding the series.
She attended the 2025 world premiere of ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires in Los Angeles, demonstrating her continued association with the franchise.
Although ZOMBIES 4 expanded the series with new characters and storylines, Jeffery's earlier portrayal of Bree remained an important part of the franchise's history.
Her appearance at the premiere also became one of the more recent public moments in which fans saw her connected with the series.
An Unexpected Loss for the Entertainment Community
The news of Jeffery's death has left many fans reflecting on the career of an actress whose work reached audiences from childhood.
At just 33, she had already spent more than two decades working in entertainment.
Her career included children's programming, comedy, drama, film, animated projects and one of Disney's recognizable musical fantasy franchises.
Her death also highlights how quickly the entertainment community can lose performers who still have many years ahead of them professionally and personally.
For those who knew her personally, the loss is especially significant because of the relationships she developed throughout her career.
No Cause of Death Has Been Announced
As of the latest reports, no cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
Jeffery's management confirmed the date of her death but did not provide additional details about what led to her passing.
Her representatives have asked for privacy for her family and loved ones during the grieving process.
Until an official statement provides further information, speculation about the circumstances of her death should be avoided.
Carla Jeffery’s Legacy
Carla Jeffery leaves behind a body of work that began when she was a child and continued for more than 20 years.
For longtime television viewers, she will be remembered through the many shows and productions in which she appeared.
For a younger generation, however, her name will remain particularly connected to Bree from the ZOMBIES franchise.
The character's humor, enthusiasm and friendship with Addison made Bree a recognizable figure in the series, while Jeffery's performance helped bring that character to life.
Her influence also extended beyond the screen through her willingness to speak about epilepsy and encourage people to pursue their dreams despite personal challenges.
The tributes from her co-stars and management team reflect a performer who was remembered not only for her talent but also for her warmth, kindness and ability to make people feel welcome.
Carla Jeffery's death at 33 marks the end of a career that began remarkably early but left a lasting impression on audiences around the world.
As fans revisit her performances and former colleagues remember the person behind the characters, her contribution to the ZOMBIES franchise and to children's entertainment will remain part of her enduring legacy.
She is survived by family, friends, colleagues and countless fans who encountered her work throughout her career.
May Carla Jeffery rest in peace.