Kelley Mack, The Walking Dead and 9-1-1 Actress, Dies After Rare Cancer Battle
Jaden Patel here, delivering hard truths with a side of dry wit.
Another day, another unfair plot twist.
Actress Kelley Mack, known for her stint as Addy on season nine of The Walking Dead and memorable guest roles on 9-1-1 and Chicago Med, died on August 2 at age 33 after a relentless fight with a rare and aggressive brain cancer called diffuse midline glioma. Her family announced the news via Instagram on August 5, where her sister Kathryn revealed that Mack passed away peacefully in Ohio with her mother, Kristen, and aunt, Karen, by her side.
“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley,” Kathryn wrote, adding that Mack’s spirit has reportedly returned to comfort loved ones in the form of butterflies. “She would want you all to know how much she loves you,” the tribute continued, closing with a cheeky salute to her bravery and a sister’s proud admission: “I’m so f–king proud of her.”
Born Kelley Lynne Klebenow, Mack built a succinct but impactful résumé over 32 credits. In 2018 she portrayed Addy for five episodes on The Walking Dead, and in 2024 she starred opposite Harry Shum Jr. in the indie film Mr. Manhattan. She was also set to appear in the upcoming feature Universal alongside Rosa Robson and Joe Thomas, proving that her passion for storytelling never dimmed, even as her health declined.
One year before her passing, Mack underwent a spinal cord biopsy that left her without use of her right leg and most of her left. She candidly documented her journey on Instagram, sharing videos of herself navigating stairs with a walker and the support of her boyfriend, Logan. “I’ve been up and down these stairs now 2x in the past few days,” she posted in March, noting that life’s highs and lows were practically a packaged deal.
Diffuse midline glioma is notorious for its aggressive progression in critical brain structures like the brainstem and thalamus. Despite the odds, Mack faced her diagnosis with characteristic determination, continuing to audition, film, and inspire fans with her candid updates. Her final public message—“I love acting so much and it warms me to know when others are touched by the stories I’m so lucky to be a part of sharing”—serves as a testament to her dedication.
Friends, fans, and colleagues plan to gather in Ohio on August 16 for a memorial service celebrating her life. While her roles may have portrayed glimpses of postapocalyptic worlds or high-stakes emergencies, Mack’s real-life story was defined by resilience, humor, and an unwavering love for her craft.
Tune in next time for more bad decisions and questionable life choices.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Instagram
Attribution: Jace Downs/AMC (Creative Commons)
