What's Inside?
- Kelley Mack, 33, passed away from glioma, a rare brain cancer, leaving behind a powerful legacy in television and film.
- Best known as Addy on 'The Walking Dead,' Mack also voiced Gwen Stacy in 'Spider-Verse' and starred in commercials and indie films.
- Despite losing leg function, Mack continued acting and producing, with her final project Universal set to release posthumously in 2025.
The entertainment world is mourning the untimely death of Kelley Mack, the vibrant actress best known for her role as Addy in The Walking Dead. On August 2, the 33-year-old star passed away peacefully in her hometown of Cincinnati after a courageous battle with glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain and spinal cord cancer. Her family, who confirmed the heartbreaking news via social media, described her as a “bright, fervent light” whose absence “will be felt to depths words cannot express.”
Kelley Mack’s Was A Rising Hollywood Star
Born Kelley Lynne Klebenow on July 10, 1992, in Cincinnati, Mack was a multitalented artist whose passion for storytelling began early. A birthday gift, a mini video camera, ignited a lifelong love for film. She started acting in commercials as a child, eventually earning an Acting Award from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for her debut role in The Elephant Garden, a short film that won the Student Visionary Award at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.
She graduated from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film with a degree in cinematography in 2014 and soon made her mark in Hollywood. Mack’s breakout role came as Addy in five episodes of The Walking Dead Season 9, where she played a Hilltop resident caught in one of the show’s darkest storylines.
Her talent extended far beyond the screen. Mack held 35 acting credits, five producer credits, and voiceover roles, including a voice match for Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Her commercial work included appearances for Dr. Pepper, Budweiser, Chick-fil-A, and a Rakuten ad with her real-life mom, Kristen.
Despite her health struggles, Mack continued creating. She co-wrote several screenplays with her mother, including On The Black, a baseball story based on her grandparents. Her final project, Universal, a sci-fi dramedy in which she starred and served as executive producer, will premiere posthumously. “It’s a small, down-to-earth film about huge, out-of-this-world concepts,” she shared on Instagram weeks before her death.
Gone Too Soon: Family And Friends Mourn Kelley Mack’s Untimely Demise
In early 2024, Mack revealed she had been diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a devastating cancer of the brain and spinal cord. Following surgery, she lost the use of both legs and relied on a walker and wheelchair. Yet her spirit remained strong. “I’ve been up and down these stairs now 2x in the past few days,” she posted in March, accompanied by a video showing her walking with her boyfriend’s help. “It’s a big deal for me.”
View this post on Instagram
Her sister Kathryn paid tribute with a powerful Instagram statement:
“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley. Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go.
Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present. Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies 🦋 ❤️. She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express.
Kelley’s Caringbridge link in her bio includes the 2-page formal announcement with information on her upcoming life celebration in Ohio on August 16th. She would want you all to know how much she loves you. And as her sister, I want you all to know how brave that tough SOB was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God. I’m so fucking proud of her.”
View this post on Instagram
Kelley Mack is survived by her parents Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, siblings Kathryn and Parker, grandparents Lois and Larry, and her boyfriend, Logan Lanier. A memorial will be held on August 16 in Ohio, with a celebration of life to follow in Los Angeles.
