The tragic end of Kelly Mack: The 33-year-old actress thought it was just back pain, but it turned out to be aggressive cancer
The diagnosis came too late, after the symptoms had already caused paralysis
Newsroom
The news of actress Kelly Mack’s death, known for her role in the television series The Walking Dead, has caused widespread sorrow. She passed away on August 2nd at just 33 years old, after a months-long and courageous battle with a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer: a central nervous system glioma.
Kelly Mack, whose real name was Kelly Lynn Klimbnaue, was born in July 1992 in Cincinnati, Ohio. From an early age, she showed a keen interest in film and the arts. She studied cinema and worked both in front of and behind the camera. In 2018, she landed the role of Addy in the ninth season of The Walking Dead, appearing in five episodes as a member of the Hilltop community. Although she was initially meant to appear in just two episodes, the audience’s response and her compelling performance led to her role being expanded.
The Diagnosis and the Fight of Her Life
Everything began in the fall of 2024, when Kelly started experiencing mild back pain, intense itching in her leg, and difficulty sleeping. Doctors initially diagnosed her with sciatica. However, the symptoms quickly worsened. After an emergency MRI, a tumor was discovered in her central nervous system. In January 2025, the diagnosis of glioma—one of the deadliest forms of cancer—was confirmed.
Following a biopsy, Kelly suffered paralysis in her right leg and a significant loss of function in her left. She began using a wheelchair but remained consistently courageous and optimistic. Through the platform CaringBridge, she and her family shared updates on her condition, documenting every small step of progress with both humor and heartfelt emotion.
Her death was announced via Instagram and the CaringBridge platform, in a moving message from her family:
“With unbearable sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Kelly. Such a bright and warm light has crossed to the other side, where we will all eventually meet again. Kelly passed peacefully on Saturday night, with her beloved mother Kristen and her aunt Karen by her side. Kelly has already visited many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies. She will be missed by so many—words cannot express the loss.”
A Final Goodbye
A farewell ceremony will be held on August 16 in Glendale, Ohio, with family and friends in attendance to honor her memory.
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