Updated: September 3, 2026
Carla Jeffery, the actress best known for playing Bree in Disney Channel’s ZOMBIES franchise, has died at age 33.
Jeffery died on September 1, 2026, according to a statement shared the following day by her longtime talent management company, Alexanders Talent Management. Her death was also reported by major entertainment and news outlets, including ABC News and Variety.
The agency, which had represented Jeffery since she was 12, described her as a “beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman” and remembered her radiant smile, laughter and talent. The agency also asked that the privacy of Jeffery’s family and loved ones be respected as they grieve.
Carla Jeffery’s Cause of Death
Carla Jeffery’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Her management company did not provide a cause of death in its announcement, and reputable reports published following her death have likewise said that no cause has been announced. There is currently no verified public information establishing that a particular illness or medical condition contributed to her death.
Jeffery had previously spoken publicly about living with epilepsy. However, her epilepsy has not been reported as a cause of her death, and it would be inappropriate to make such a connection without confirmation from her family or representatives.
Carla Jeffery’s Career and Rise to Fame
Born in Houston, Texas, Jeffery began acting professionally as a child. She made her film debut in Phat Girlz in 2006, appearing alongside Mo’Nique when she was 12. Disney’s official biography notes that she went on to build credits across film and television, including appearances on Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up!, Best Friends Whenever, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Southland, American Vandal and iCarly.
One of her most recognizable roles came in Disney’s ZOMBIES franchise.
Jeffery played Bree, a Seabrook High cheerleader and close friend of Addison, portrayed by Meg Donnelly. She appeared in the first three ZOMBIES films, beginning with ZOMBIES in 2018, followed by ZOMBIES 2 in 2020 and ZOMBIES 3 in 2022. She also voiced Bree in ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series.
The role introduced Jeffery to a younger generation of Disney viewers and became the performance with which many fans most closely associated her.
Jeffery also attended the 2025 premiere of ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, supporting the franchise and its cast, despite not reprising her role in the film.
Her Work Beyond ‘ZOMBIES’
While Bree brought Jeffery widespread recognition, her career extended well beyond the Disney franchise.
She appeared in 10 episodes of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm as Keysha Black and also had a role in the television drama Southland. Other credits included American Vandal, iCarly, Good Luck Charlie and Shake It Up!.
Disney’s official biography also notes that Jeffery had a passion for cheerleading and helped teach acting classes. Her career reflected a longstanding connection to both performance and working with young people.
Carla Jeffery and Epilepsy Awareness
Jeffery publicly discussed her experience with epilepsy and used her platform to raise awareness about the condition.
In a 2022 interview published by the Epilepsy Foundation, she spoke about living with epilepsy and the concerns she had experienced early in her acting career. She also participated in a Disney Channel public service announcement during Disability Pride Month, using her personal experience to encourage greater understanding and representation of people living with disabilities.
Her openness about epilepsy became an important part of her advocacy, particularly for young people who may have felt limited by a medical diagnosis.
That advocacy should be kept separate from reports concerning her death. No reliable source has established a connection between epilepsy and Jeffery’s death.
Family and Personal Life
Jeffery was the twin sister of actor Carlon Jeffery, who is known for his role as Cameron Parks on Disney Channel’s A.N.T. Farm. She was born in Houston and later lived in California while continuing her acting career.
Her management company’s statement emphasized the long professional and personal relationship it shared with Jeffery, noting that she had been part of the agency’s family for more than two decades.
Tributes to Carla Jeffery
Following news of her death, tributes began emerging from people connected with Jeffery’s career and from fans of the ZOMBIES franchise.
Her former co-stars and colleagues have remembered her for her warmth, humor and positive presence. The agency’s statement similarly focused on her infectious smile, laughter, talent and the light she brought to those around her.
For viewers who grew up watching the ZOMBIES films, Jeffery’s portrayal of Bree remains an enduring part of the franchise’s early years.
A Career That Began in Childhood
Jeffery’s death at 33 marks the loss of an actress whose career spanned more than two decades.
From her first film appearance at age 12 to television roles and her work as Bree in Disney’s ZOMBIES, she built a career across multiple areas of entertainment. Her willingness to speak openly about epilepsy also allowed her to reach audiences beyond her acting work.
At the time of publication, her family and representatives had not publicly announced a cause of death. Funeral or memorial arrangements had also not been widely disclosed.