Actress Kelley Mack, best known for starring in the ninth season of the hit post-apocalyptic zombie television series “The Walking Dead,” has died after battling glioma, a rare type of tumor that affects the central nervous system. She was 33.
Mack, born Kelley Klebenow, died peacefully on the evening of Aug. 2, with her mother, Kristen, and aunt, Karen, by her side, according to a statement shared to the actress’s Instagram page on Aug. 5.
Mack was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 10, 1992, and her passion for storytelling grew at an early age after she was gifted a video camera for her birthday. She began acting in commercials as a child, later earning a bachelor’s degree in cinematography in 2014 from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Orange, California.
She subsequently moved to Los Angeles, making her television debut the following year with an appearance in the Investigation Discovery docuseries “Unusual Suspects.”
In addition to “The Walking Dead,” which she appeared in from 2018 to 2019, some of her other television credits include “9-1-1,” “Schooled,” and “Chicago Med.” The producer and screenwriter also starred in “Mr. Manhattan” (2024), “Delicate Arch” (2024), and “Universal” (2025), among other films.
Mack was remembered online by her peers, including her “The Walking Dead” costar Alanna Masterson, who described the actress as “an incredible human.”
“So proud to have fought alongside her in our final episode together,” Masterson commented online.
Michael E. Satrazemis, who directed several episodes of the AMC show, called Mack “a bright light on every level.”
Cancer Battle
In January, Mack’s close friend Chelsea announced on nonprofit health platform CaringBridge that the actress had been diagnosed with “an extremely rare, complex, malignant spinal tumor” called diffuse midline glioma (DMG).Symptoms of the aggressive form of cancer, which usually develop and worsen quickly, often include fatigue, headaches, and nausea, as well as weakness in the facial muscles, arms, and legs, usually on one side of the body. There is currently no cure for DMG, but treatments may help mitigate symptoms and extend life expectancy.
As a result of her grade 4 tumor, Mack experienced a complete loss of mobility in her right leg and a partial loss of function in her left leg, forcing her to rely on a walker and wheelchair to get around. The actress underwent surgery, but the tumor was inoperable due to its size and location, her friend noted.
After completing radiation treatments in April, Mack regained her ability to walk through physical therapy. However, a July 30 update on her CaringBridge page revealed the actress was receiving respite care as she navigated “the toughest part of her journey.”
Mack is survived by her parents, Lindsay and Kristen Klebenow; brother, Parker; sister, Kathryn; grandparents, Larry and Louis Klebenow; and boyfriend, Logan Lanier.