Kelley Mack, famed for her role as Addy in ‘The Walking Dead’, has died at the age of 33, as announced by her family over the weekend.
Her sister, Kathryn, took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news on Tuesday, stating, “A bright and tenacious spirit has gone beyond, where we’re all destined to end up one day.”
Borne as Kelley Lynne Klebenow, she reportedly passed away peacefully on Saturday evening. Surrounded by her loving family, her battle with glioma, a rare type of central nervous system tumor, came to an end.
Earlier this year, in January, Mack revealed her diagnosis of diffuse midline glioma, a rare astrocytoma that primarily affects the brain and spinal cord. Treatment often involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy as noted by the National Cancer Institute.
In her Instagram account, Mack described her health decline last year, starting with persistent lower back pain that was initially thought to be a slipped disc. Progressively, she experienced other severe symptoms that forced her into a recliner for a month, since lying down presented too much discomfort.
On Thanksgiving Eve, she underwent emergency MRIs that uncovered an abnormal mass in her spinal cord. At that time, she was diligently undergoing radiation therapy in Cincinnati.
Mack expressed gratitude for having a loving family and boyfriend who stood by her throughout the difficult time. She described the experience as a major test for her mental strength and faith, and noted how it deepened her connection to God, trusting in his plan.
In a hopeful post in March, she shared a video on her Instagram demonstrating her progress, noting, “For the past few days, I’ve been able to climb up and down the stairs. This is quite an achievement for me.”
In her post on Tuesday, Mack’s sister conveyed how much she loved her followers. “She would want you all to be aware of how much love she had for each of you,” she shared. “As her sister, I want everyone to understand how incredibly brave she was, especially as she chose to reunite with God. I’m so proud of her,” Kathryn added.
The tribute included a touching statement that Mack has visited family members “in the shape of various butterflies.” Her sister poignantly wrote, “Her absence will profoundly impact many, beyond what words can capture.”
According to the family, Mack was a vibrant artist, who loved storytelling, a passion ignited when she received a mini video camera as a child.
She started her career in commercials as a kid, later moving to acting, voice-overs, and producing. Mack was featured in the ninth season of ‘The Walking Dead’ between 2018 and 2019, also appearing in ‘Chicago Med’ in 2022 and an episode of ‘9-1-1’ in 2019. She had roles in two upcoming films destined for release in 2024, ‘Mr. Manhattan’ and ‘Delicate Arch’, and had recently been promoting the 2025 film ‘Universal’ on her Instagram.
The family’s statement painted her as a warm-hearted and creative individual, always uplifting those around her. She treasured her time with family and friends, finding joy in creative endeavors that inspired countless individuals, both within and outside the industry.
A celebration of her life will be held in Ohio on August 16.
Kelley is survived by her loving family, including her parents Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, brother Parker, grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow, and boyfriend Logan Lanier.
This information was initially reported on NBCNews.com
