Walking Dead Star Kelley Mack Dies at 33
Walking Dead star Kelley Mack dies at 33, leaving behind a legacy of passion, talent, and creativity that touched countless lives. Hollywood is grieving the loss of the actress and filmmaker, who passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025. Best known for her emotionally resonant portrayal of Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, Mack was also a rising talent in independent film and television.
Her family confirmed her death in a heartfelt post shared on Mack’s official Instagram account and later detailed in an official obituary.
“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley,” the post read. “Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go.”
Diagnosed With a Rare Cancer of the Central Nervous System
Kelley Mack, born Kelley Klebenow in Cincinnati, Ohio, was diagnosed with glioma of the central nervous system, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite the challenges of her illness, she remained deeply connected to her loved ones and continued to inspire those around her with her strength and warmth.
Her family shared that she passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her most. Throughout her battle, she maintained a quiet strength and never lost her passion for creativity and connection.
Rising Star: From Indie Film to The Walking Dead
Kelley Mack’s career spanned multiple genres and platforms. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Addy, a teenage survivor in The Walking Dead’s post-apocalyptic universe. Her character, a member of the Hilltop colony, appeared in Season 9, adding depth and emotional nuance to the ensemble.
Yet, that was just one chapter of her career. Mack’s versatility as an actress allowed her to take on a wide range of roles:
- Penelope Jacobs in NBC’s Chicago Med (Season 8)
- Appearances in FOX’s 9-1-1
- Voice-match work for Gwen Stacy (originally voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) in the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Lead role as Alice in Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021), a sci-fi psychological thriller
- Role as Wilda in the recent indie film Delicate Arch (2025)
View Kelley Mack’s filmography on IMDb
More on Broadcast Signal Intrusion at the Chicago Film Festival
Her performance in Broadcast Signal Intrusion, which premiered at the 57th Chicago International Film Festival, earned praise for its subtle emotional power and psychological complexity. It further cemented her reputation as a thoughtful and fearless performer.
A Creative Force Behind the Camera
Kelley Mack was not only an actress — she was also a producer, writer, and visual storyteller. With over 35 acting credits and five producing credits, she consistently sought meaningful stories that challenged audiences and reflected authentic experiences.
She also had a successful career in commercial acting, appearing in national campaigns for:
- Dr. Pepper
- Dairy Queen
- Ross Dress for Less
- Chick-fil-A
- And most recently, Rakuten, where she starred alongside her mother, Kristen
Kelley was known in the industry for being collaborative, generous, and deeply invested in the creative process. Her passion for storytelling began in childhood when she received her first video camera — a birthday gift that would change the course of her life.
A Lifelong Love for Film and Art
Mack graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010. She then moved to California to pursue filmmaking and enrolled at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, one of the most prestigious film programs in the country. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography in 2014.
After college, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she spent the last 11 years building a career in the entertainment industry. She split her time between acting, producing, and doing voice-over work for animation and commercials.
Friends and collaborators often described her as “a rare combination of artistic brilliance and emotional intelligence.”
A Life Lived Fully and Generously
Kelley Mack’s friends and family remember her not just as a performer but as a radiant, loving, and deeply empathetic person. She brought warmth and humor to every room she entered and made an impact on everyone she worked with.
“She cherished time with her family and friends,” her obituary reads. Collaboration and storytelling brought her immense joy, both personally and professionally. A life rooted in creativity, integrity, and compassion was her guiding light, shaping the way she connected with the world.
Outside of her creative work, she enjoyed:
- Hiking in nature
- Pickleball and cycling
- Traveling
- Playing the piano
- Spending time with her family and her longtime boyfriend, Logan
Her life was filled with adventure, curiosity, and connection — qualities that will continue to inspire those who knew her.
A Final Role and Enduring Legacy
Kelley Mack’s final screen appearance will be in a yet-to-be-released Universal Pictures project, where she plays a character named Ricky. The film is currently in post-production and is expected to be released in 2026. Her performance is already being called “a touching farewell” by those close to the project.
She survives Mack:
- Parents: Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow
- Younger sister: Kathryn
- Brother: Parker Klebenow (also an actor)
- Grandparents: Lois and Larry
- Partner: Logan, her “dearest boyfriend” and longtime companion
Honoring Her Memory
To celebrate Kelley’s legacy, her family encourages donations to brain cancer research organizations such as the National Brain Tumor Society, which funds vital research into treatments for glioma and other brain tumors.
Her passing leaves a void in the entertainment industry — but her influence remains alive through her art, her compassion, and the lives she touched.
🕊 May her light continue to guide others through the stories she helped bring to life.
