Who Was Kelley Mack, Actress from The Walking Dead, Who Died at 33?
The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of actress Kelley Mack, who passed away on Saturday, August 2, at the age of 33. Mack became widely recognized for her role as Addy in the ninth season of AMC’s acclaimed zombie series The Walking Dead. Beyond that, she built a diverse career that spanned television, cinema, commercials, and voice acting.
Career in Television and Film
Although The Walking Dead gave Mack international visibility, her talent reached far beyond the post-apocalyptic universe. She also appeared in popular television series such as 9-1-1, Chicago Med, and Schooled—a spin-off of the hit sitcom Modern Family.
In film, she acted alongside Harry Shum Jr. in Broadcast Signal Intrusion, while also taking part in Mr. Manhattan and her most recent project, Universal, where she not only played a lead role but also served as executive producer.
Early Life and Education
Born as Kelley Lynne Klebenow on July 10, 1992, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she showed an early interest in the arts. She studied at the Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the United States. Her debut performance as Chloe in the short film The Elephant Garden (2008) earned her a student acting award, while the film itself won the Student Visionary Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Work in Los Angeles
Over the past eleven years, Mack resided in Los Angeles, where she fully dedicated herself to the audiovisual industry. She not only pursued acting in films and television but also became a familiar face in commercials and a frequent contributor in dubbing projects.
One of her notable contributions came in the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). There, Mack served as a supporting voice actress for Gwen Stacy, acting as a stand-in for Hailee Steinfeld during the film’s production.
Behind the Camera
Mack’s creativity also extended beyond acting. She wrote, directed, and edited the short film Positive (2015). She worked as a cinematographer on The Kingdom (2014) and produced A Knock at the Door (2016), which later earned her the Jury Prize at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival. Her passion for storytelling showed through both her acting and her work behind the camera.
Recognitions and Awards
Throughout her career, Mack received several accolades. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Madrid International Film Festival for her role in Simón (2019) and again at the Pasadena International Film Festival for My Own Silence (2024). These honors reflected her dedication and versatility in bringing depth to every role she played.
Cause of Death
The actress’s life was tragically cut short due to a glioma, a rare and aggressive tumor that affects the central nervous system. Despite its devastating progression, Mack continued to work on her craft, with Universal standing as her final project.
Personal Life and Legacy
Kelley Mack leaves behind her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, her brother Parker, her grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow, and her boyfriend, Logan Lanier.
A memorial service is scheduled for August 16 at 1 p.m. at the Glendale Lyceum in Glendale, Ohio. In addition, the family will host a celebration of life in Los Angeles, giving colleagues and friends from the entertainment industry the opportunity to honor her memory.
Her legacy remains not only in the roles she brought to life but also in the stories she helped create, proving that her impact on the film and television world goes far beyond her years.
