Actress Kelley Mack, known for her role in The Walking Dead, has died at the age of 33.
She portrayed Addy in the ninth season of the AMC series and passed away ‘peacefully’ on Saturday, August 2. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by ‘her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen’.
Mack had been battling glioma of the central nervous system, a ‘rare’ type of cancerous tumor. She publicly announced her diagnosis last year.
Her family conveyed the heart-wrenching news of her passing on Instagram, stating: “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.”
Following her death, tributes poured in from colleagues and fans alike, including Alanna Masterson, who portrayed Tara Chambler on The Walking Dead.
Masterson shared: “What an incredible human. So proud to have fought alongside her in our final episode together.”
Kelley Mack, whose full name was Kelley Lynne Klebenow, had a notable career with 35 acting credits and five producing credits. Her work included roles such as Penelope Jacobs on Chicago Med and appearances in Fox’s 9-1-1. Her most recent project had been the drama-comedy film Universal, where she starred alongside Joe Thomas from The Inbetweeners.
In January, Mack had begun her first of 24 proton therapy sessions. By March, she completed the treatment and engaged in rigorous physical therapy, noting that ‘things are getting better.’
She is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, brother Parker, grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow, and her boyfriend, Logan Lanier.
Mack had been diagnosed with a ‘rare subtype’ of glial tumor known as a diffuse midline glioma, which targets the primary central nervous system and originates in the brain or spinal cord, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Her symptoms began with ‘persistent lower back pain’ in October 2024, escalating to a hospital visit the night before Thanksgiving due to increased severity.
An MRI scan revealed an ‘abnormal mass’ present on her spinal cord.
The NCI states that diffuse midline gliomas are all classified as grade 4, indicating they are ‘cancerous and fast-growing.’
Symptoms vary based on the tumor’s location, potentially causing double vision, swallowing difficulties, weakness, or balance issues. Spinal tumors may lead someone to experience increasing weakness, numbness, and issues with bowel or bladder control.
In the United States, around 3,940 individuals live with diffuse midline glioma, according to the NCI.
If you have been affected by similar issues and need confidential support, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, available 24/7 throughout the year.