Actress and filmmakerKelley Mack, who was best known for playing Addy inThe Walking Dead, sadly passed away on August 2 in Cincinnati after a seven-month battle with a central-nervous-system glioma at the age of just 33. The news was shared in a post on her family’s CaringBridge page said she “passed peacefully, surrounded by love.”
The sad news was also shared on the actress’ Instagram account, with the full statement reading:
“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. 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 f*cking proud of her.”
Kelley Mack Made a Big Impact in a Tragically Short Career
Born Kelley Klebenow in 1992, Mack’s love of the entertainment industry began at an early age, and after graduating from Hinsdale Central High School, Chicago, she earned a cinematography degree at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Mack broke out nationally as Addy in Season 9 ofThe Walking Dead. She also starred as Penelope Jacobs onChicago Medand as Hannah on9-1-1. She also had a growing range of movie credits to her name, includingBroadcast Signal Intrusionopposite Harry Shum Jr., the thrillerDelicate Arch, and the forthcoming sci-fi dramaUniversal, which was completed before she underwent treatment for her condition.
She also did her fair share of voice-over work on commercials for Dr Pepper, Dairy Queen and Chick-fil-A, as well as standing in for Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen Stacy forSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Versepromos.
Diffuse midline glioma, which claimed Mack’s life, accounts for fewer than 3 percent of adult brain cancers and has a median survival of roughly 11 months, according to the National Cancer Institute. Mack chose to document her treatment publicly and frequently shared updates on her progress, including her fight to learn to walk again after spinal-biopsy paralysis.
As fans and peers share tributes to the actress, we want to send out thoughts to Mack’s family at this time.
