She was 33.
Carla Jeffery, who played Bree in the first three Disney Channel Zombies films, died Tuesday, September 1. Her manager, Carla Alexander of Alexanders Talent Management, announced it in a statement. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Most of the internet will be covering this news today, which is going to lead with Bree, and that is fair. It is the role that reached a lot of people.
But there is a longer story here, and it starts twenty-one years before Zombies.
Houston, Age 12
Jeffery was born in Houston, Texas, and began acting at 12.
Her first credited role came in 2006, when she played a younger version of Mo'Nique's character in Phat Girlz.
From there, she worked steadily, which is the part that deserves attention. She played Keysha across several episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, a recurring role opposite Larry David. She appeared in Southland, iCarly, Suburgatory, Scream Queens, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and American Vandal.
Comedy, drama, satire, network TV, prestige cable. Spread across nearly two decades.
Disney Channel audiences were also seeing her long before Zombies. She appeared in Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up!, and Best Friends Whenever, three shows from a completely different era of the network.
That is a career built one job at a time in an industry where most people who start at 12 do not still have one at 33.
Carla Jeffery, best known for playing Bree in Disney’s “ZOMBIES” franchise, has died at the age of 33.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 2, 2026
Her talent agency confirmed the news in a statement: "Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of our beloved Carla Jeffery." pic.twitter.com/qNsFUDmuLT
Then Bree
Jeffery originated the role in the 2018 Disney Channel Original Movie Zombies.
Bree was Addison's best friend, a cheerleader at Seabrook High, and she quickly became one of the most recognizable supporting characters in a franchise that outgrew its first film considerably.
She came back for Zombies 2 in 2020 and Zombies 3 in 2022, then voiced Bree in the animated spinoff Zombies: The Re-Animated Series.
Four projects, one character, roughly seven years. Kids who watched the first movie were finishing high school by the third.
Zombies 3 was her last live-action performance. She did not return for Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, but she showed up at the 2025 premiere to support her castmates.
Her final credited performance was a 2025 episode of the audio drama Asanté.
What Her Team Said
The statement came from her management company on social media.
“As Bree in Disney's hit ZOMBIES franchise, Carla shared her joy, humor, and bright spirit with audiences around the world,” they wrote, describing Jeffery as “more than a client; she was family.”
They asked for privacy for her family and loved ones.
What Her Castmates Said
The tributes came fast.
Milo Manheim, who plays Zed, called her “the sweetest person I have ever met.”
Trevor Tordjman said he would never forget her energy and spirit.
Chandler Kinney described her as a shining light and a beautiful soul.
Read those together, and something stands out. Cast tributes usually reach for talent or professionalism. Every one of these was about who she was in a room.
Why the Fandom Is Taking This So Hard
Zombies occupies a specific place in recent Disney Channel history.
It landed in 2018, when the network's original movie output had fallen well off its peak, and became one of the last genuine DCOM phenomena. Hit songs. Live tours. Merchandise. A fanbase that stuck around through four films and a series.
Bree was there from the first one.
She was not the lead. She was the friend. And in an ensemble, the friend is frequently the character that people recognize themselves in. Fans who grew up with these movies did not think of Bree as a supporting role. She was part of the group.
That is why the reaction over the past day has come as much from viewers as from the industry.
Carlon Jeffrey shared a heartbreaking screenshot of his final texts to his twin sister, Carla Jeffrey, who passed away today💔:
— sitcom crave (@sitcomcrave) September 3, 2026
"Hey Sis
Call me back when you get this..I was just calling to see how your day went! I love you to the moon & back
sis🌙♋️
I just want you to know… pic.twitter.com/CUsd8GQfGR
Remembering Her
Twenty-one years of work. Four Zombies projects. A recurring role on one of the most acclaimed comedies of the century. Three separate eras of Disney Channel.
Her family has asked for privacy, and that request is worth honoring.
Her team led their statement with joy, humor, and a bright spirit shared with audiences around the world.
For a lot of people who grew up with her, that is exactly what she was.
Cause of death has not been disclosed. Details reflect the statement shared by Alexanders Talent Management.
