KELLEY MACK: ACTRESS
A Bright Flame, Extinguished Too Soon: The Life and Legacy of Kelley Mack
Introduction 
KELLEY MACK
Kelley Mack (born Kelley Lynne Klebenow; July 10, 1992 – August 2, 2025) emerged as a passionate storyteller and actor, best known for her portrayal of Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she pursued film from childhood—spurred by a birthday gift of a mini video camera that ignited her love for storytelling. She graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010 and later earned a degree in cinematography from Chapman University in 2014.
Her death at age 33, following a brave battle with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer—diffuse midline glioma (DMG)—came on August 2, 2025. She passed away peacefully in Cincinnati with her mother Kristen and aunt Karen at her side. Her sister Kathryn announced the family’s loss on Instagram on August 5, describing Kelley as “a bright, fervent light” and sharing symbolic messages that she had appeared to loved ones as butterflies—a comforting image her family embraced.
1. Early Life & Creative Awakening
Kelley’s creative drive began early. Growing up in a supportive family, she and her brother Parker Mack (also an actor) explored performance and filmmaking. While at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, she honed her skills both behind and in front of the camera.
Her first notable roles came in independent shorts and local commercials, eventually leading to guest parts in TV series like Unusual Suspects, Grayson: Earth One, and Not Your Average Joe during the mid‑2010s. Her early career was driven by collaboration—often writing or producing independent projects with her mother, including scripts inspired by family lore such as On the Black, a 1950s‑era baseball drama grounded in her grandparents’ experiences at Ohio University.
2. Breakthrough: The Walking Dead and Beyond
Kelley’s breakout came in 2018 when cast as Addy, a Hilltop Colony resident in AMC’s The Walking Dead. Across five episodes in Season 9, she brought depth to a character surviving in a harsh post‑apocalyptic world, garnering attention from fans and critics alike.
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That same year, she appeared in the feature film Profile and began voice‑matching work—including voicing Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld’s character) in Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse promotional material and ad campaigns like Hyundai’s 2024 spot.
In the years following, she appeared on episodes of Chicago Med (as Penelope Jacobs) and 9‑1‑1, further establishing her versatility across genres. On the film front, she earned praise for her roles in Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021) and Delicate Arch (2024), the latter released via Screambox. Despite facing mounting health challenges during this period, Kelley continued voicing ads for major brands including Dr. Pepper, Budweiser, Dairy Queen, Chick‑fil‑A, and Credit Karma.
Her final project was Universal (released June 2025), a comedy‑drama/sci‑fi feature in which she starred as Ricky and also served as executive producer. In early summer 2025, she attended its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood—just weeks before her passing.
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| 'THE WALKING DEAD' ACTRESS KELLEY MACK |
3. Diagnosis & Final Months
In September 2024, what began as persistent back pain—initially misinterpreted as a slipped disc—led to a diagnosis of diffuse midline glioma (DMG) after MRI revealed a tumor on her spinal cord. DMG is a particularly aggressive and rare central nervous system tumor, more commonly seen in children and young adults, with a very poor prognosis and few effective treatments.
She documented her journey courageously on social media—including sharing that a biopsy had left her paralyzed from the waist down. She gradually lost the use of her right leg and most of her left, using a walker and wheelchair to move. Even then, she shared moments of triumph—relearning to climb stairs with support from her partner Logan, writing, “I’ve been up and down these stairs now 2× in the past few days… it’s a big deal for me”.
Despite escalating symptoms—nerve pain, unrelenting discomfort, and mobility loss—Kelley kept working and creating. She voiced appreciation for messages of support and used her platform to raise awareness about the devastating realities of DMG. Medical experts later noted that early signs such as chronic back pain, numbness, and tingling—even in a young adult—can warrant urgent evaluation, given the aggressive nature of gliomas.
On August 2, 2025, in Cincinnati, she passed away with her mother Kristen and aunt Karen by her side, surrounded by love. Her sister Kathryn shared an emotional tribute on Instagram three days later, reflecting on her sister’s bravery:
“Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned … Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies … She will be missed …” and called her “that tough SOB” who made the leap to be reunited with God.
4. Legacy & Impact
Kelley Mack left behind a body of work comprising 35 acting credits and five producer roles, spanning film, television, commercials, voiceover, and independent projects.
Colleagues, fans, and advocacy communities celebrated her as much for her spirit as her talent. She was remembered not just as a working actor, but as a filmmaker, writer, and collaborator deeply invested in storytelling from multiple angles. Her family's statements emphasized how she touched people’s lives beyond her performances, and how her life became a living example of creativity and courage intertwined.
On August 16, 2025, her family held a remembrance event in Glendal, Ohio, with further memorial plans announced for Los Angeles—reflecting her dual connections to her hometown and her life in Hollywood.
Her story has also drawn attention to the urgent need for better treatment and research for diffuse midline glioma. Medical experts pointed out that her openness in documenting her experience helped raise awareness of early warning signs and the grim statistics associated with DMG in order to prompt earlier diagnosis and drug development.
Fan communities on Reddit and other social networks expressed shock and grief. On r/television, one user summed up the sentiment:
“DMG is an absolutely devastating cancer that is nearly impossible to treat”
“From what I can see, it looks like she had diffuse midline glioma, a very rare and aggressive type of brain cancer.”
5. Reflection: Creativity, Resilience & Inspiration 
Looking back, Kelley’s life reflected a rare blending of creative ambition and personal resilience. She chose roles and projects that spoke to her storytelling instincts—from The Walking Dead’s dystopian character arcs to deeply independent films and short scripts. She collaborated on screenplays with her mother and supported grassroots productions inspired by real family history. She embraced both acting and producing roles equally, viewing them as extensions of her creative voice.
Her resilience amid illness—continuing to share her journey publicly, to work on Universal, to advocate for awareness of DMG—was a testament to her belief in purpose over defeat. Even as her physical abilities waned, she remained engaged with her craft and supportive of friends, loved ones, and fans.
Conclusion
Kelley Mack’s passing leaves a poignant reminder of the fragility and intensity of creative life—and the cruel randomness of illness. From a childhood passion for filmmaking, she built a multi‑faceted career: actor, producer, voice artist, writer, collaborator. She dared to dream in Hollywood, while remaining deeply rooted in her Ohio origins and family stories.
Her death at 33 from diffuse midline glioma is a tragedy compounded by her courage—her willingness to share the unfiltered realities of a rare cancer, her ability to inspire empathy rather than pity. The butterfly imagery shared by her family became a powerful symbol: ephemeral, but persistent; delicate, but transforming.
Her legacy continues not just in the episodes and projects she left behind—but in the light she brought into the industry, the conversations she initiated about DMG awareness, and the creative spirit she championed. For those who knew her, who admired her, or who found courage in her story, Kelley remains a vivid, shining presence.
She is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay; sister Kathryn; brother Parker; grandparents; and her partner Logan.
Further Reading & Sources
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Entertainment Weekly, People, The Independent, E! News etc. reporting her biography and career
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Medical background on diffuse midline glioma and its symptoms/counsel
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Reddit reactions on r/television showing fan grief and awareness
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