Kelley Mack: Walking Dead Actress Passes Away at 33 After Rare Brain Cancer Battle

Kelley Mack—née Kelley Klebenow—best known as Addy on The Walking Dead Season 9, died on August 2, 2025, in her hometown of Cincinnati after a courageous battle with a rare central nervous system glioma. She was just 33 years old.

Her family shared the news through her Instagram account on August 5, confirming her peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones—her mother Kristen and aunt Karen among them. They described her as a “bright, fervent light” who has now transitioned “to the beyond, where we all eventually must go” and mentioned comforting signs—like butterflies—that appeared to close kin afterward (EW.com).

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TL;DR Pointers:

Actress Kelley Mack (Addy from The Walking Dead) died on August 2, 2025, from a rare brain cancer at age 33.

She had a diverse career with 35 acting credits, including roles in Chicago Med and her final film, Universal.

Mack was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma but continued to share her journey with honesty and resilience.

She remained committed to her art, even while battling the illness, leaving a legacy of creativity and courage.

Early Life & Career Journey

Born on July 10, 1992, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kelley Mack launched her passion for filmmaking early—sparked by a childhood birthday gift: a mini video camera. Before long, she was acting in commercials(EW.com).

High School: Graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010.

University: Earned a Bachelor’s in Cinematography from Dodge College of Film at Chapman University (Orange, California) in 2014.

Life in L.A.: Lived and worked in the Los Angeles area for 11 years before returning home.

Across her acting résumé, she amassed 35 acting credits and also served as producer on five projects

Notable Roles & Voice Work

Her career included a diverse array of roles across TV, film, commercials, and voice-over art:

Television & Film Highlights

Addy on The Walking Dead Season 9 (her breakout TV role).

Penelope Jacobs in Chicago Med Season 8; a memorable guest appearance.

Guest-star on FOX’s 9‑1‑1.

Film roles included:

Alice in Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021),

Wilda in the horror‑comedy Delicate Arch (2024)

Her final role is credited as “Ricky” in the upcoming Universal film Universal, due for release sometime in 2025; she also served as executive producer on it.

Voice-Over Work & Commercials

Did voice matching for Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen Stacy in Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse promotions and Hyundai commercials in 2024.

Featured in commercials for major brands like Dr. Pepper, Dairy Queen, Ross, Chick‑fil‑A, and Rakuten (a campaign that included her mom).

Additional voice-over gigs included work for Budweiser, Salvation Army, Credit Karma, Herbal Essences, etc., illustrating her versatility in the voice-over space.

Personal Interests & Legacy

Her obituary painted a warm portrait: Kelley loved her family and friends, thriving in storytelling and collaboration. She also enjoyed hiking, biking, playing piano, pickleball, and traveling—a life full of motion and connection.

She deeply valued time with those she loved. That sense of community and creative spirit was a hallmark of her career and her persona.

More on Her Illness & Passing

Kelley was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma, an extremely aggressive brain cancer affecting the brainstem or spinal cord. This form generally has no cure and limited treatment options.

In early 2025, a biopsy impacted her spinal cord—leaving her partially paralyzed, unable to walk unassisted. Yet, she continued sharing her journey with raw honesty online. In March, she even celebrated walking up stairs with the support of her partner, Logan, calling it a major personal milestone.

Despite declining health, she completed filming for Universal. Even on her hardest days, she remained committed to her art—finishing a project that will debut after her passing.

Her family set a memorial service in her honor on August 16 in Ohio, inviting those touched by her life to remember her in person. Survivors include her parents (Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow), sister Kathryn, brother Parker (also an actor), grandparents Lois and Larry, and her longtime partner, Logan.

My Perspective: Why Her Story Resonates

Beyond the impressive résumé and talent, Kelley Mack’s story is a testament to resilience. A young woman faced with a grim diagnosis didn’t retreat—she leaned in. She turned pain into creativity.

Her journey wasn’t just about acting on screen. It was about acting in life—sharing vulnerability in real time, reminding us that illness doesn’t erase identity. Her transparency and grit gave people hope, visibility, and the courage to keep fighting.

Her legacy is more than roles on TV or a film credit. It’s the warmth she brought on set, the creative spirit she uplifted in collaborators, and the hope she kindled in fans. Her story affirms that even brief lives can leave powerful, lasting impacts. She didn’t just chase stories—she inspired them.

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