Diffuse Midline Glioma
Kelley Mack, known for her role as Addy in The Walking Dead, passed away at 33 on August 2, 2025, after battling diffuse midline glioma, a rare brain cancer. Her family shared heartfelt tributes, celebrating her bravery and creative legacy in film and television. The actress, who also appeared in Chicago Med, leaves behind a deep impact on fans and peers.
Image: Deadline
A Tragic Loss for Hollywood
Kelley Mack, best known for playing Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, died on August 2, 2025, in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, after a courageous battle with diffuse midline glioma—a rare and aggressive brain cancer. Born Kelley Lynne Klebenow, she revealed her diagnosis publicly in September 2024 and documented her journey with honesty and strength.
Her family announced her passing on Instagram, saying she died peacefully surrounded by her mother Kristen and aunt Karen. They remembered her as a “bright, fervent light,” whose spirit now lives on “in the form of various butterflies.”
Understanding Diffuse Midline Glioma
Diffuse midline glioma originates in glial cells that support the brain and spinal cord. This rare and aggressive tumor often develops in the brainstem or spinal cord, making it hard to treat due to its location and rapid growth.
Mack’s symptoms, including persistent back pain and eventual leg paralysis, were initially mistaken for less serious conditions. Her story highlights how this illness can go undetected until it’s advanced. Treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy offer limited results, and no cure currently exists. On average, patients survive between 9 to 12 months after diagnosis.
Kelley Mack’s Illustrious Career
Mack began acting in childhood commercials, sparked by her love for storytelling and filmmaking. After graduating with a cinematography degree from Chapman University in 2014, she went on to earn over 35 acting credits. These included roles like Penelope Jacobs in Chicago Med and appearances in 9-1-1 and Schooled.
She also voiced Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and starred in films like Broadcast Signal Intrusion. Beyond acting, she worked as a screenwriter—collaborating with her mother on scripts like On the Black—and produced five films, proving her talent across multiple creative domains.
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Legacy and Tributes
Tributes poured in from her colleagues in the entertainment industry. Alanna Masterson, Mack’s co-star from The Walking Dead, described her as “an incredible human.” Director Michael Satrazemis called her a “bright light” both on and off screen. Fans praised her authenticity and the strength she showed during her cancer battle.
A celebration of life will take place on August 16 in Glendale, Ohio, with another memorial planned in Los Angeles. Mack is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay, her siblings Kathryn and Parker, and her boyfriend, actor Logan Lanier. Her legacy continues through her art and the inspiration she offered others facing rare brain cancers.
