“The Walking Dead” Actress Kelley Mack Dies at Age 33 After Cancer Battle

• Aug 06, 2025

Kelley Mack, best known for her role in The Walking Dead, has died at the age of 33 after a battle with a rare form of cancer. She had publicly shared her diagnosis in early January, opening up about her health struggles with followers on social media.

Mack first noticed symptoms in September when she began experiencing ongoing lower back pain. By October, her condition had worsened. She later developed unusual itching in her right thigh, followed by intense shooting pains in her legs and back. These symptoms became so severe that she could no longer sleep in bed and was forced to rest in a recliner for an entire month.

On the night before Thanksgiving, emergency MRIs were performed, which revealed an abnormal mass in her spinal cord. After further medical evaluation, she was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma—a rare and aggressive form of astrocytoma cancer. The diagnosis came after a biopsy surgery, which also left her partially paralyzed. Mack explained that she had lost the use of her right leg and most of her left leg, requiring her to rely on a walker and a wheelchair for mobility.

The actress was open and honest about the challenges she faced, using her platform to raise awareness about this rare disease. Despite the overwhelming physical and emotional toll, Mack remained courageous and hopeful, even sharing her journey with the hashtags #diffusemidlineglioma and #astrocytoma to connect with others experiencing similar battles.

Kelley Mack appeared in the hit series The Walking Dead as Addy, a member of the group known as the Highwaymen. Her performance, though brief, left a lasting impression on fans of the show.

News of her passing has sparked an outpouring of grief and support from fans and fellow actors, many of whom praised her strength, talent, and vulnerability in sharing her story. While her life was cut tragically short, her courage in the face of a devastating illness has left a lasting legacy.

Mack’s openness about her condition helped shed light on a little-known disease and reminded many of the importance of listening to one’s body and advocating for medical answers.