Disney star Carla Jeffery, best known for playing Bree in the “Zombies” franchise, has died at 33. She passed away September 1, 2026, her longtime management company confirmed, though her cause of death has not been revealed.
Alexanders Talent Management announced Jeffery’s death on social media, remembering the actor as a beloved member of its family. The company said Jeffery joined the agency at 12 and had been represented by the team for more than 20 years.
The announcement has prompted tributes from fans and former co-stars, including Milo Manheim, who appeared alongside Jeffery throughout the “Zombies” franchise. Her death comes after a career that began in childhood and included appearances across Disney Channel, network television and streaming productions.
Carla Jeffery’s Death Confirmed
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Carla Alexander of Alexanders Talent Management confirmed that Jeffery died Tuesday, September 1. In a statement shared online, the company described the actor as a “beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman” whose smile could light up a room.
“As Bree in Disney’s hit Zombies franchise, Carla shared her joy, humor and bright spirit with audiences around the world,” the statement read.
The agency also asked for privacy for Jeffery’s family and loved ones as they mourn her death.
At the time of the announcement, Jeffery’s cause of death was not immediately available. Her representatives did not provide additional information about the circumstances surrounding her passing or where she died.
Her ‘Zombies’ Role Made Her a Disney Favorite
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Jeffery became widely recognized for her role as Bree, the bubbly cheerleader at Seabrook High School in Disney’s “Zombies” franchise. She starred in the original “Zombies” movie in 2018 before returning for “Zombies 2” in 2020 and “Zombies 3” in 2022.
She also reprised the character through voice acting in 2024’s “Zombies: The Re-Animated Series.” Bree was a loyal friend to Addison, played by Meg Donnelly, and became one of the familiar faces associated with the franchise.
Jeffery’s work on “Zombies” also extended into the franchise’s music, with the actor appearing in cast music videos connected to songs including “Flesh & Bone” and “Fired Up.”
Jeffery Started Acting at 12
Born July 10, 1993, in Houston, Jeffery began her acting career when she was 12 years old. Her first credited screen appearance came in the 2006 comedy “Phat Girlz,” where she played the younger version of Mo’Nique’s character.
She went on to appear in a wide range of television shows, including “iCarly,” “Miss Guided,” “Southland,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Men of a Certain Age,” “Good Luck Charlie” and “Shake It Up.”
Jeffery also appeared in “Torchwood,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Uncle Buck,” “Scream Queens,” “Suburgatory” and Netflix’s “American Vandal.” Her film credits included “Teacher of the Year,” “Girl on the Edge” and “Exchange,” while she also voiced a character in Disney XD’s “Spider-Man.”
One of her notable early television roles was on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” where she played Keysha Black across the sixth and seventh seasons between 2006 and 2008.
She Spoke Openly About Living With Epilepsy
No Longer Hiding My Disability . Letting It Be Known ! I’m Carla Jeffery &I Have Epilepsy .. ❤️ https://t.co/grY3yIlZao
— carla jeffery (@Carlajjeffery) July 19, 2022
Outside of acting, Jeffery was open about her experience with epilepsy and used her platform to encourage conversations around disabilities.
Speaking with the Epilepsy Foundation in 2022, she revealed that she began having seizures at 18. She initially worried that disclosing her condition could hurt her acting career, particularly because she feared having a seizure during an audition or on set.
That changed after she told her manager, who encouraged her to continue pursuing opportunities.
Jeffery later revealed that she experienced a seizure while filming “Zombies” and woke up in an ambulance. The experience encouraged her to speak more openly about epilepsy and how she continued working despite the condition.
“I’m going to keep doing what I love, and at the same time, use my story to help others,” she said at the time.
Carla Jeffery Wanted to Inspire Young Black Girls
Jeffery also spoke about the impact her “Zombies” role had on young Black girls. In an August 2025 interview, she recalled seeing children dressed as Bree and realizing that her character had become meaningful to them.
She described the experience as emotional and said inspiring young Black girls was something she wanted to continue doing.
The actor’s comments reflected the broader impact of her Disney role, particularly for viewers who saw themselves represented through her character.
Milo Manheim Pays Tribute to Jeffery
🤍
“Te amo Carlaboo. A pessoa mais doce, querida e amorosa.”
“Carla. A pessoa mais doce que já conheci. Amo você” pic.twitter.com/QsKbtv3XMh
— Milo Manheim Access (@accessmanheim) September 2, 2026
Following news that Jeffery died, Manheim shared a tribute to his former co-star on Instagram Stories.
“Love you Carlaboo. The sweetest, kindest, most loving person,” he wrote.
Manheim also shared a clip from Jeffery’s appearance on “iCarly,” adding an emotional message about how much he loved her and the joy she brought to others.
As tributes continue to emerge, Jeffery is being remembered for a career that began when she was a child and took her from television guest roles to one of Disney Channel’s recognizable franchises.
Her cause of death remains undisclosed. Jeffery was 33.
Featured image: Disney
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