Kelley Mack Dead at 33
Kelley Mack, the actress best known for playing Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, has died at the age of 33 following a courageous battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Her death was confirmed by family members via a public statement on CaringBridge and shared through Instagram by her sister, Kathryn Klebenow, who wrote: “It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley.” She passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by her mother Kristen and aunt Karen.
Born Kelley Lynne Klebenow on July 10, 1992, in Cincinnati, Mack graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois in 2010 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in cinematography from Chapman University in 2014. Her breakout role came in 2018 as Addy in The Walking Dead, where she portrayed a brave and resourceful survivor. Her performance in the fan-favorite zombie drama earned her recognition from horror and sci-fi communities alike. She also appeared in other high-profile series, including Chicago Med and 9-1-1, and had 35 acting credits to her name, along with several producing and voiceover roles.
In January 2025, Mack revealed that she had been diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a rare and aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. The diagnosis came after she began experiencing persistent lower back pain, neuropathic itching in her leg, and shooting pain that ultimately left her unable to walk without assistance. A spinal MRI uncovered the cancer, and a subsequent biopsy resulted in paralysis of her right leg and partial paralysis of her left. Despite the debilitating symptoms, Mack remained open and candid about her health journey, using social media and blog posts to document her treatments, mobility challenges, and her efforts to relearn how to walk.
Kelley Mack continued to work throughout her illness. She was a producer and lead actress in the upcoming film Universal, set for release later this year, and also starred in Delicate Arch (2024) and Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021). In addition to her film work, Mack voiced characters in promotional content for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and appeared in national commercials for Dr. Pepper, Dairy Queen, and Chick-fil-A. Her creative energy and commitment to her craft never wavered, even as her health declined.
Mack is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow; her siblings, Kathryn and actor Parker Mack; her grandparents, Lois and Larry Klebenow; and her longtime partner, Logan Lanier. A celebration of life will be held on August 16 in Glendale, Ohio, with a second memorial service planned in Los Angeles later this year.
In their statement, her family wrote, “Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond… 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.” Her story also draws attention to the deadly nature of diffuse midline glioma, a disease with few treatment options and a notoriously poor prognosis. Mack’s openness about her symptoms and diagnosis is a sobering reminder of the importance of advocating for neurological testing when unexplained pain or neurological symptoms persist.
Kelley Mack’s death is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry and to fans who were inspired by her strength, talent, and authenticity. Her legacy will live on not just in her performances, but in the light she brought to an unforgiving illness—and the grace with which she faced it.
