Kelley Mack, the American actress celebrated for her roles in The Walking Dead, Chicago Med, and 9-1-1, has died following a private and courageous battle with glioma, a rare and aggressive form of central nervous system cancer. She was 33.
The actress passed away peacefully on August 2 in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by family.
“Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond,” read a family statement shared via Instagram. “Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present.”
The statement, posted by her family, included tender reflections on her final days and the spiritual signs her loved ones believe she has sent since her passing. “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,” it read.
Her sister added a powerful tribute to Mack’s strength
“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 fucking proud of her.”
A CaringBridge memorial page linked in Mack’s Instagram bio includes a formal announcement and information about her celebration of life, which is scheduled for August 16 in Ohio.
From Commercials to Critically Acclaimed Drama
Born in Cincinnati, Mack’s early career began like a scene from a movie. After receiving a mini video camera as a child, she quickly became enamored with filmmaking and performing. She began appearing in commercials and short films before making a serious foray into acting.
Mack graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in cinematography from Chapman University’s prestigious Dodge College of Film in 2014. But it was her work in front of the camera, not behind it, that would bring her the most recognition.
She received an early breakthrough in the indie film The Elephant Garden, earning an acting award from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. The film won the coveted Student Visionary Award at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, a sign of her promise as an emerging talent.
A Beloved Face on the Small Screen
Mack was best known for her work on television. She landed a memorable role as Addy in Season 9 of AMC’s The Walking Dead, where she played one of the teen survivors in the infamous “Whisperers” storyline. Her performance earned praise from fans for its emotional depth and realism.
She went on to appear as Penelope Jacobs in NBC’s Chicago Med and had a role on FOX’s 9-1-1, cementing her presence in primetime drama. She also played Alice in the psychological thriller Broadcast Signal Intrusion and Wilda in Delicate Arch, showcasing her versatility across genres.
One of her final roles was in the upcoming film Universal, where she played Ricky. The film has not yet been released.
A Creative Force Behind the Camera
Mack was more than an actress. She was a storyteller. She collaborated closely with her mother, Kristen Klebenow, to write full-length feature scripts rooted in family history and emotional authenticity.
One of their most meaningful joint projects was On The Black, a 1950s era baseball drama inspired by the love story of Mack’s maternal grandparents, both alumni of Ohio University.
According to her family, storytelling wasn’t just a career for Mack. It was a sacred calling. Whether through her acting, writing, or presence on set, she approached her work with precision, passion, and a deep sense of purpose.
An Irreplaceable Loss
Kelley Mack is survived by her mother and father, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, brother Parker, and grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow. Her family, friends, and fans are left reeling from the sudden loss of a woman remembered as gentle, creative, and fiercely brave.
In the wake of her death, tributes have begun to pour in from across the entertainment industry. Former co-stars and collaborators are remembering her as a rare soul, a quiet force of nature, and someone who brought both depth and joy to every room she entered.
“Kelley was a light, on-screen and off,” said one former director. “She had a way of making the hardest scenes feel human. She never phoned it in. She gave everything.”
Her memory, her art, and her words, immortalized in scripts, shows, and cherished family stories, will continue to echo.
Her life celebration will be held in Ohio on August 16th.
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