Carla Jeffery, Star of Disney’s ‘Zombies’ Franchise, Dies at 33

Disney Channel has built its legacy on discovering young performers and watching them grow up in front of the camera, often becoming beloved fixtures for an entire generation of viewers. Few franchises captured that magic quite like the network’s musical fantasy series that introduced audiences to a world where zombies, werewolves, and cheerleaders coexisted at the same suburban high school.

That franchise, and the community of fans who grew up with it, is now mourning one of its own. News broke this week of a loss that has sent ripples through the Disney fan community, with tributes pouring in from co-stars and admirers alike.

Carla Jeffery, best known for playing Bree in Disney’s ‘Zombies’ franchise, has died at 33. Her longtime talent agency, Alexanders Talent Management, confirmed the news in a statement shared on Instagram, revealing that Jeffery passed away on September 1. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Jeffery had been represented by the agency since she was just 12 years old, meaning her team had watched her grow over more than two decades from a child actor into an accomplished adult performer. In their statement, the agency described her as a vibrant and deeply talented presence whose warmth extended well beyond her work on screen, while asking that her family’s privacy be respected during this time.

Jeffery’s path to ‘Zombies’ ran through several other beloved Disney Channel staples. Before landing the role that would define her career, she appeared in episodes of ‘Good Luck Charlie,’ ‘Shake It Up’ and ‘Best Friends Whenever,’ building a résumé that placed her firmly within the network’s mid-2010s programming lineup.

Her breakout role came in 2018, when she was cast as Bree, an aspiring cheerleader at Seabrook High School who befriends Addison, played by Meg Donnelly, in the original ‘Zombies’ telefilm. Jeffery reprised the role across the franchise’s subsequent sequels, as well as its 2024 animated spin-off series, cementing Bree as one of the saga’s most recognizable characters.

Beyond her Disney work, Jeffery built a varied career across network and cable television. She had a recurring arc across ten episodes of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ along with guest appearances on shows including ‘Southland,’ ‘Scream Queens,’ ‘American Vandal,’ ‘iCarly’ and ‘Game Shakers.’ Her acting career began even earlier than her Disney years, with her first credited role coming at age 12 in the 2006 film ‘Phat Girlz.’

Following the announcement of her death, several of Jeffery’s ‘Zombies’ co-stars shared condolences and memories online, reflecting on her presence both on set and off. Chandler Kinney, who played werewolf Willa in the franchise, was among those who publicly paid tribute to her following the news.

The outpouring reflects just how deeply embedded Jeffery had become within the extended Disney Channel family over her two-decade career. For many fans who grew up watching ‘Zombies’ during its original run, Bree represented a formative piece of their childhood, making the loss feel especially personal to a generation now coming to terms with the passing of someone who shaped their early entertainment memories.

As details around her death remain limited, the focus for now has shifted toward honoring the work and warmth Jeffery brought to every role she played. Her management’s request for privacy suggests her family and loved ones are still processing the loss away from public attention, even as tributes continue arriving from fans and colleagues across the industry.

Jeffery’s career, though tragically cut short, spanned some of Disney Channel’s most beloved programming of the past two decades, leaving behind a body of work that introduced her to millions of young viewers worldwide.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!