Who was Kelley Mack? Actress and indie filmmaker passes away at 33
Kelley Mack did not just play characters; she breathed life into them. Whether on-screen as Addy Miller in Season 9 of The Walking Dead or behind the camera developing stories with her mother, she had a way of bringing emotion, intelligence, and beauty into everything she touched. She was battling with a rare and aggressive form of glioma affecting her central nervous system. Despite her bravest efforts, the fight led to her untimely demise on August 2 at just 33 years old. Her family and her agent confirmed the heartbreaking news, a loss that was deeply felt by fans, colleagues, and everyone who had known her.
Born Kelley Lynne Klebenow (July 10, 1992) in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mack was always drawn to stories. It was after receiving a mini video camera as a child that she began seeing the world through a different lens, leading to the start of her career as a child actor. She would act out scenes, record family skits, and make little movies and commercials, unaware then that it was the beginning of something much bigger. In 2008, she made her debut in The Elephant Garden, a short film that not only earned her acting honours at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts but also helped win the Student Visionary Award at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival.
She graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 2010 and pursued cinematography at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, where her love for visual storytelling deepened. Yet even as she trained to work behind the scenes, her gift for performing remained a guiding force.
Many fans remember Mack as Addy, the soft-spoken but strong-willed survivor in Season 9 of The Walking Dead. It was a role she made entirely her own, infusing quiet moments with depth and empathy. But that was only part of the story. Mack also made appearances in 9-1-1, Chicago Med, and indie gems like Broadcast Signal Intrusion and Delicate Arch. She was never one to chase fame; she chose roles that meant something to her, that allowed her to connect.
She also made her mark as a screenwriter and producer. A Knock at the Door, a short horror film she co-created, won the Jury Choice Award at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival. She was working on On The Black with her mother, Kristen Klebenow, a feature script inspired by the legacy of their family at Ohio University. This was a true love letter to roots, memory, and perseverance.
Mack is survived by her parents, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow; her sister, Kathryn; her brother, Parker, an actor and close confidant; her grandparents, Lois and Larry; and her long-time partner, Logan Lanier. In a direct tribute on Kelley’s Instagram page, Kathryn called her a “bright, fervent light” and said that she was a “brave and tough SOB.” The actress had spent her final days in Cincinnati, with her mother and aunt by her side. She found comfort in quiet moments, in stories, and in the butterflies that seemed to appear as signs from the universe.
A remembrance gathering will take place on August 16 in Glendale, Ohio, with a larger celebration to follow in Los Angeles, the city where her artistry truly flourished.
Kelley Mack leaves behind more than film credits and accolades. She leaves behind a legacy of love, of stories that mattered, of people who felt seen because of her, and a reminder that strength doesn’t always shout; it often whispers.
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