Disney ‘Zombies’ Actress Carla Jeffery Dies at 33

Carla Jeffery, the actress who played Bree across Disney Channel’s Zombies franchise, died on September 1 at age 33. Her longtime representatives at Alexanders Talent Management confirmed her death in a public statement. A cause and place of death were not disclosed.

A Disney role that reached a young audience

Jeffery became closely associated with Bree, an aspiring cheerleader and friend of Addison Wells in the 2018 musical television movie Zombies. She returned for the 2020 and 2022 sequels, then voiced the character in the 2024 animated spinoff Zombies: The Re-Animated Series. The recurring part made her a familiar presence to viewers who followed the franchise from its first trip to Seabrook High.

Her representatives said Jeffery had been part of their talent-management family for more than 20 years. Their remembrance emphasized the warmth, humor and energy she brought to the people around her, while asking that her family’s privacy be respected.

A career extending beyond Seabrook

Jeffery’s television work began well before Zombies. She played Keysha Black in 10 episodes of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, appearing during the sixth and seventh seasons as part of the Black family storyline. Her other credits included appearances on iCarly, Southland, Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Netflix’s American Vandal.

Born in Houston in 1993, Jeffery made an early film appearance in the 2006 comedy Phat Girlz, playing the younger version of Mo’Nique’s character. She later worked in both live action and animation, including a voice role as the Marvel character Mania in an episode of Disney XD’s Spider-Man.

Her film credits also included Teacher of the Year, Girl on the Edge and Exchange. Across those projects, she moved between comedy, drama, family entertainment and voice work rather than being limited to a single format.

Jeffery’s representatives did not announce memorial arrangements. Their statement centered instead on the personal loss felt by those who had watched her develop from a child performer into an adult actress, and on the lasting connection audiences formed with her most recognizable character.