Actress Kelley Mack, who was known for her role in the hit post-apocalyptic show The Walking Dead, has died at the age of 33. Mack, whose birth name was Kelley Klebenow, passed away peacefully in her hometown of Cincinnati on Saturday after struggling with glioma of the central nervous system. Glioma is a type of tumor that affects the brain or spinal cord.
Her death was announced on her Instagram, where it was described as the loss of a bright and passionate light. Since then, tributes have poured in from coworkers, friends, and fans, who remembered her as a gifted performer and a kind-hearted person. Alanna Masterson, who also starred in The Walking Dead, shared that she was proud to have worked with Mack.
Over the course of her career, Mack earned 35 acting credits and five producer credits. She became well-known for playing Addy in the ninth season of The Walking Dead before the show ended. In addition, she appeared as Penelope Jacobs in the eighth season of Chicago Med and on Fox’s 9-1-1. Her work also included commercials and voice-over projects, like for ads with Dr. Pepper, Ross stores, Dairy Queen, and Chick-fil-A.
The Walking Dead star Kelley Mack died
Mack’s love for storytelling started when she was young after receiving a small video camera as a birthday present, which led her to begin acting in commercials as a child. Her Instagram read, “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.”
The post continued, “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.”
Mack was admired for her kindness, creativity, and constant support for the people around her. Her energetic passion and commitment to her work inspired many in the entertainment industry and elsewhere. She attended Hinsdale Central High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in cinematography from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Orange, California.
In a way, she was a part of keeping The Walking Dead series alive before the spinoffs, which keeps her solidified as a staple of the series. Kelley Mack is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow; her sister Kathryn and brother Parker; her grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow; and her boyfriend, Logan Lanier. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
