The Walking Dead actor Kelley Mack has died at the age of 33.
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Kelley, real name Kelly Klebenow, passed away on Saturday after a 7-month battle with glioma of the central nervous system, which is a cancerous tumor, her family confirmed in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
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Sharing a photo of Kelley, her sister wrote: “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.”
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“Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present,” she went on. “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.”
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“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,” the post concluded. “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.”
Kelley shared her cancer diagnosis with her social media followers on Jan. 3, where she revealed that she had suffered “persistent lower back pain” for a month since September. She wrote: “A few weeks later, I had neuropathic itching in my right quad. And then, the shooting pains in my legs and back began, which resulted in me having to sleep in a recliner for a month because laying down was too painful. On Thanksgiving Eve, I had emergency MRIs done at the hospital, which revealed an abnormal mass in my spinal cord. Fast forward to now – I have been diagnosed with #diffusemidlineglioma, an extremely rare type of #astrocytoma #cancer. Due to the biopsy surgery on my spinal cord, I have lost the use of my right leg and most of my left leg, so I now get around with a walker and a wheelchair.”
“I am determined and know that this will eventually be a short chapter in my long book,” she poignantly added at the time. “The positivity, love and prayers that are being sent my way already is overwhelming and I feel it all. Thank you so much ❤️❤️”
Kelley documented much of her cancer battle on Instagram over the last few months.
Kelley was best known for playing Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, starring in five episodes between 2018 and 2019.
Director Michael E. Satrazemis was among those to pay tribute to Kelley under the Instagram post, writing: “I was lucky enough to create with Kelley on TWD. A bright light on every level. All my love to those who love her.”
And several The Walking Dead actors also commented, with Michael Lopez sharing: “My deepest condolences, Kelley was such a sweet and happy soul and I’m happy to have met her. She fought so hard. Sending her and your family lots of light and love. Rest easy Kelley.”
Alanna Masterson added: “What an incredible human. So proud to have fought alongside her in our final episode together,” and Gustavo Gomez commented: “This is heartbreaking. I feel so lucky that our paths crossed. Your bright light will always shine on 💙”
Kelley also played Penelope Jacobs in Chicago Med, and appeared in 9-1-1.
A recognition and remembrance of Kelley’s life will be held in her home state of Ohio on Aug. 16, and her family are also planning a celebration of life in Los Angeles for Kelley’s friends and colleagues in the area.
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