Carla Jeffery, the actress who brought cheerleader Bree to life across Disney’s ZOMBIES franchise, died on September 1, 2026. She was 33 years old. Her agency, Alexanders Talent Management — which had represented her since she was 12 — confirmed the news in a statement describing her as family and honoring her infectious smile. No cause of death has been made public; her family has asked for privacy.
Two Decades on Screen, Starting at 12
Jeffery’s first screen credit came in 2006, in the film Phat Girlz, when she was still a kid. What followed was a working actor’s career built quietly across more than twenty years: guest spots on iCarly, Shake It Up!, Good Luck Charlie, Southland, American Vandal, and even Curb Your Enthusiasm. She was the kind of actress who showed up, made the scene feel true, and moved on — a craftsperson, not a celebrity, even when the projects were massive.
The ZOMBIES franchise changed that. As Bree, the eternally optimistic head cheerleader navigating a world of zombies and werewolves at Seabrook High, Jeffery became a fixture for a generation of Disney Channel kids. The films — and the animated series that followed — gave her a character with genuine warmth and comedic timing, and she delivered every time. For many of us who were in that demographic, Bree was as much a part of growing up as any playlist or school year. You can read more about the Disney Channel stars who defined a generation to understand just how embedded that world became in the lives of kids who watched.
Her Twin Brother’s Words Said What the Press Releases Couldn’t
The tributes came fast. Milo Manheim, Chandler Kinney, and Trevor Tordjman — her ZOMBIES co-stars — each spoke about her kindness and her light. Disney Entertainment Television released a formal statement honoring her talent and generosity. These were true. But the moment that cut deepest came from her twin brother, actor Carlon Jeffery, known for his own Disney run on A.N.T. Farm.
He posted a screenshot of the last text message he sent her. It read: “I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Your resilience, your grace, your infectious smile that lights up a room… I got your back in this life and the next.” There is nothing editorial to add to that. It stands on its own.
Jeffery is gone at 33, with no cause of death disclosed and no clean narrative to wrap around it. What we have is more than two decades of work, a franchise full of kids who grew up loving her character, and a brother who made sure the last thing she knew was that she was seen. That is not nothing — that is, in fact, everything.
- when Disney Channel stars pass too soon
