Film producer and actress Kelley Mack, who was best known for her Walking Dead credits has sadly passed away. She was just 33 years old.
Belated reports pouring in from the United States and confirmation from her agent, Julie Smith, hit the TV world like a wrecking ball. Born as Kelley Lynee Klebenow, the young actress died on August 2 in her hometown of Cincinnati after battling a brain cancer, glioma.
Mayo Clinic states: “As a glioma grows it forms a mass of cells called a tumor. The tumor can grow to press on brain or spinal cord tissue and cause symptoms. Symptoms depend on which part of the brain or spinal cord is affected.” The website further refers to glioma as a growth of cells beginning in the brain or spinal cord. Despite the malignant impact of these cells, they appear similar to healthy brain cells called glial cells.
Kelley Mack’s sister speaks out
In addition to Smith confirming the unfortunate news to major US outlets, Mack’s sister, Kathryn Klebenow, took to her Instagram to break the word about the heart-shattering development in her family’s life.
“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,” she wrote in the caption. Klebenow further revealed that Mack’s mother, Kristen, and aunt, Karen, were there by her side at the time of her passing.
“As her sister, I want you all to know how brave … (she) was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God. I’m so … proud of her,” she added.
Who was Kelley Mack? TV actress and producer dies at 33
Diehard fans of the early 2000s TV chronology may remember Kelley as Addy, a Hilltop Colony resident, in The Walking Dead Season 9. She is also widely remembered for her role as Penelope Jacobs in Chicago Med Season 8.
Her TV credits also extended to shows like 9-1-1, Schooled (a Modern Family spinoff) and more. On the flip side of her onscreen appearances, she also left a mark in feature films like Broadcast Signal Intrusion, Mr Manhattan and Delicate Arch.
According to Deadline, she will also posthumously star in the upcoming Universal (she also served as an executive producer on the feature). The late actress plays Ricky, “a bona fide genius” in the film that otherwise premiered at Dances With Films in June.
Born on July 10, 1992, Mack kicked off her acting career as a child by participating in commercials. The Chapman University graduate snagged an Acting Award from Tisch School of the Arts, following her major debut as Chloe in 2008’s The Elephant Garden. The film in question earned an even bigger accolade, the Student Visionary Award, at the Tribeca Film Festival.
On top of that, Mack came in as a stand-in for Hailee Steinfeld in a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse commercial for Hyundai.
Her creative hand also extended to the 2015 short film Positive, for which she took on multiple key roles – writer, director and editor. Furthermore, the 2014 short The Kingdom saw her come in as a cinematographer.
Kelley Mack’s personal and professional life
As the oldest of the three siblings, the Cincinnati native had been living and working in Los Angeles for over a decade. Before getting her bachelor’s in Cinematography from the Dodge College of Film at Chapman University in 2014, she completed her schooling from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010.
Her family also shared that a Mack was not only a seasoned college tennis player, but also had a knack for other sports like hiking, pickleball and biking. Kelley is believed to have equally loved playing the piano, and travelling, in addition to having a soft spot for dark chocolate, bourbon, popcorn, fantasy football, animals (both stuffed and real), and country music among other things.
Kelley Mack’s family to honour her life
According to a CaringBridge page set up for Mack, her family announced that they will be holding a “recognition and remembrance of Kelley’s life” at the Glendale Lyceum in Glendale, Ohio, on August 16. Another event that seeks to celebrate the young star’s life in Los Angeles will be organised at a later date.
Kelley Mack leaves behind a brokenhearted family, including her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, her sister Kathryn, her brother Parker, grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow, and her boyfriend Logan Lanier.