Carla Jeffery, who played Bree Prattle in the various films of the Disney Zombies series, died on 1 September 2026 and was 33 years old.
The information came to us from Jeffery’s long-time talent agency, Alexanders Talent Management, in a statement that was posted on his official Instagram account on September 2nd. Neither has the cause of death been made public and her family have requested privacy as they mourn.
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our dear Carla Jeffery, who died on September 1, 2026, at the age of 33,” said Carla Alexander of Alexanders Talent Management. “Carla became a member of the Alexanders Talent Management family when she was 12 years old, and for over 20 years we have had the pleasure of seeing her develop into a beautiful, vibrant and extraordinarily talented woman, one whose bright smile could illuminate any room.”
The statement went on to say: “Having played Bree in Disney’s popular Zombies series, Carla brought her joy, sense of humour and cheerful disposition to audiences all over the world. Carla was more than just a client; she was like family to us. Our thoughts are with Carla’s family and friends at this tragic time and we kindly request that their privacy be respected as they cope with this terrible loss. May she rest in peace, Carla; nobody will ever forget your light.”
Who Was Carla Jeffery?
Jeffery was born on July 10, 1993, in Houston, Texas and has a twin brother named Carlon Jeffery, who is also a name familiar to viewers of Disney Channel programmes — he portrayed Cameron Parks on the sitcom A.N.T. Farm.
She began acting at an early age, and her first appearance in a film was in 2006 when she played the ten-year-old version of Mo’Nique’s character in the comedy Phat Girlz; thereafter she established a consistent career as a child and teenage actor, earning a number of guest and recurring roles on both network and cable television.
One of her first significant roles was on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, where from 2006 to 2008 she played Keysha Black, a member of a family that moves in with Larry David after being driven out by Hurricane Katrina; she appeared in ten episodes during the show’s sixth and seventh seasons together with JB Smoove and Vivica A. Fox.
Her other credits from that era include iCarly, Miss Guided, Best Friends Whenever, Southland, Lie to Me, and Men of a Certain Age. She also appeared in Good Luck Charlie, Scream Queens, American Vandal, Uncle Buck, and Spider-Man, along with the films Girl on the Edge, Teacher of the Year, and Puzzled.
Bree and the Zombies Franchise
It was the film Zombies that brought Jeffery to the attention of actual Disney Channel viewers. The 2018 musical Disney Channel Original Movie, which was directed by Paul Hoen, featured her in the role of Bree, an aspiring cheerleader at Seabrook High School who becomes one of the closest friends of the movie’s main character, Addison, portrayed by Meg Donnelly. The concept, of a town where zombies and humans live alongside each other in a tense manner, presented within the format of a Disney Channel musical, became one of the network’s most popular films of that period, with Milo Manheim and Donnelly as the leading actors.
Jeffery reprised Bree in Zombies 2 (2020) and Zombies 3 (2022), staying with the franchise through three feature films. When Disney turned the story into an animated spinoff, Zombies: The Re-Animated Series, in 2024, she came back once more to voice the character.
In three films and an animated series, Bree became one of the more consistent supporting characters in the world of the franchise—she was the loyal best friend, the cheerful one with a good heart, a role that Jeffery kept on for most of the decade.
Tributes From the Zombies Family
Within hours of the announcement the tributes began to arrive, a large number of them coming from the castmates who had spent years on set with her.
Milo Manheim, who appeared alongside Jeffery in all three Zombies films, wrote on Instagram: “Carla. The sweetest person I have ever met. I love you.”
Chandler Kinney, who played werewolf Willa in the franchise, remembered her as “the brightest shining light in any room she walked into, the kindest person you’d ever meet, and the most beautiful soul,” adding, “This doesn’t feel real.”
Malachi Barton, who joined the series with Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, posted a photo of himself with Jeffery, writing simply, “Rest easy, Carla.”
Disney Entertainment Television also issued its own statement: “Carla Jeffery’s extraordinary talent, warmth and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of working with her. She had a rare gift for connecting with audiences, and her performances brought joy to millions. We will remember Carla for her generosity, her humor and the genuine light she brought to those around her. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, her castmates and collaborators, and the countless fans whose lives she touched.”
What We Still Don’t Know
At the time of publication, her family, her representatives, and Disney have not confirmed any cause of death. Reports from entertainment media such as The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline, TVLine, and ABC News have repeatedly stated that no details have been released and that her family has asked for privacy while going through this period. In order to respect that request, this article will not make any guesses about circumstances that have not been confirmed.
Carla Jeffery is survived by her family, which includes her twin brother Carlon, and by a body of work that brought her to the attention of millions of young viewers who grew up with Bree, Addison, and Seabrook High on their screens. Fans have kept sending messages to her on Instagram, with many of them just thanking her for the role which made her a part of their childhoods.
