Latest news with #KathrynKlebenow
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kelly Mack, Promising Young Actress From The Walking Dead, Died at 33
Kelly Mack, a recurring character on The Walking Dead and who had roles in several films, TV series and commercials, died on August 2. She was 33. Kelly Mack was born as Kelley Klebenow, and she reportedly 'passed away peacefully,' on August 2, according to her family member's post on social media on Tuesday. Mack was back home in her hometown of Cincinnati, and the report was made after battling glioma of the central nervous system. According to a post on Caringbridge, a glioma is a type of tumour that affects the brain or spinal cord, and was ultimately the cause of death. The open letter from Kathryn Klebenow reads, '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 adds, 'Kelly's legacy will live on through her contributions to film and television, and in the hearts of those who loved her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered,' in the heartfelt message. Kelly Mack played the role of Addy in five Season 9 episodes of AMC's The Walking Dead from 2018 to 2019. Her credits also include guest appearances on TV series such as 9-1-1, Chicago Med, the Modern Family spinoff Schooled, and her latest film, Universal, a sci-fi drama that just released on June 25, 2025 starred Mack as the aloof third wheel Ricky, who interrupts a romantic weekend getaway. She also appeared in feature films like Mr. Manhattan, proving her range as a multifaceted actress. A known fan account for The Walking Dead posted their condolences on X regarding the actress, and fans flooded the comments with outpouring support, with all of her fans virtually agreeing that she was gone too soon. Kelly Mack is survived by her mother and father, her brother and sister, Kathryn and Parker Klebenow, her grandmother and grandfather and her boyfriend Logan Lanier. A celebration of her life will occur on August 16, and a future celebration for all of her fans and friends to say goodbye will be held in Los Angeles at a later date. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kelley Mack, who starred in 'The Walking Dead' and '9-1-1,' dies at 33. What is a glioma and who is at risk of the rare cancer?
Co-stars, directors and other people in the entertainment world offered their condolences to the late actress. Kelley Mack, an actress known for her work on popular TV shows like The Walking Dead, 9-1-1 and Chicago Med, has died at 33. The American-born star died in her hometown of Cincinnati over the weekend, according to her family, on Saturday, Aug. 2. "It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley," reads a statement from her sister, Kathryn Klebenow, posted on Tuesday, Aug 5. "Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go. "Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present. Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies. She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express." This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Kathryn shared a longer obituary online, noting her sister — whose real name is Kelley Lynne Klebenow — grew up in various states in addition to Ohio, including Missouri, Connecticut, North Carolina and Illinois. However, she lived and worked in the Los Angeles area for the past 11 years, and earned 35 actress and five producer credits within her career. "She is survived by her mother and father, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, sister Kathryn, brother Parker, grandmother and grandfather Lois and Larry Klebenow and her dearest boyfriend, Logan Lanier," the statement added. On Instagram, people she worked with on various sets chimed in to share their condolences. Kathryn added in the post's caption that Kelley "would want you all to know how much she loves you." "What an incredible human. So proud to have fought alongside her in our final episode together," wrote The Walking Dead actress Alanna Masterson, who plays Tara Chambler in the series. "I was lucky enough to create with Kelley on TWD. A bright light on every level. All my love to those who love her," added director Michael Satrazemis. "A true talent and lovely, lovely soul. May you rest in peace and keep shining through all the hearts you touched," penned Jessy Schram, who plays Dr. Hannah Asher in Chicago Med. Mack died after battling a glioma of the central nervous system, according to the statement from her sister. But what exactly does that mean and is it a common health condition? Read on to learn more. What is a glioma? According to the Cleveland Clinic, a glioma is a tumour that often forms in the brain but can sometimes begin in the spinal cord. They're formed when glial cells — non-neuronal cells in the nervous system that provide support and protection for neurons — grow out of control. These tumours are malignant, but can sometimes be very slow growing. However, they typically don't spread outside of the brain or spine, but can become life-threatening when they're hard to reach or treat with surgery, or if they grow into other parts of the brain. What are the different types of gliomas? There are three main types of glioma, which are grouped by the type of glial cell they grow in. Sometimes, they can contain multiple cells, in which cased they're called mixed gliomas. The types include: Astrocytomas: These start in star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes and are the most common malignant brain tumour in adults. This category includes glioblastomas, which account for 24 per cent of brain tumours Ependymomas: These start in ependymocytes, which are cells of the ependyma. This type of glioma accounts for two per cent of all brain tumours, and are more common in kids than adults. Oligodendrogliomas: This rare tumour starts in oligodendrocytes, and tend to grow slowly but become more aggressive over time. They account for one to two per cent of all brain tumours, and are more common in adults than children. Mack announced earlier in January that she was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma, which is an extremely rare type of an astrocytoma. "Due to the biopsy surgery on my spinal cord, I have lost the use of my right leg and most of my left leg, so I now get around with a walker and a wheelchair," she wrote in an Instagram post at the time. In the health update, she noted that she had experienced persistent lower back pain for about a month after moving into a new apartment with her boyfriend last September. She thought she "slipped a disc" or had a herniated disc in her back, until she had neuropathic itching in her right quad. "Then, the shooting pains in my legs and back began, which resulted in me having to sleep in a recliner for a month because laying down was too painful," she continued, explaining later had emergency MRIs completed, which showed an abnormal mass in her spinal cord. According to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, diffuse midline gliomas are "generally high-grade tumours that infiltrate through the entire substance of the brain stem." They most often occur in children, but can appear in adults as well. What are the symptoms of a glioma? The Cleveland Clinic notes the symptoms of a glioma may include: Problems speaking and communicating, or aphasia Vision changes or loss Cognitive problems, like trouble thinking or memory issues Walking or balance problems Dizziness Headaches Weakness or numbness on one side of the body Nausea and vomiting Personality or behavioural changes Seizures For diffuse midline gliomas, the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada adds that difficulty swallowing, double vision and facial weakness are some common symptoms on top of those mentioned above. What causes a glioma? Health-care providers aren't exactly sure what causes a glioma, according to Mayo Clinic. But research suggests changes, or mutations, in DNA can lead to the development of brain and spinal cord tumours, including gliomas. The Cleveland Clinic notes it's possible to inherit mutations from your parents, but they can also occur randomly in one's lifetime. When it comes to astrocytomas like the one Mack had, the majority develop randomly, with radiation exposure and genetics being the only known risk factors. What are the risk factors for a glioma? While it remains uncertain what causes a glioma, some of the following can increase your risk factor: Aging: Getting older can increase your risk of a glioma, with most occurring in adults between ages 45 and 65. Radiation exposure: People who have been exposed to ionizing radiation, including radiation therapy, have an increased risk of gliomas. Genetics: While rare, having a family history of gliomas can increase your risk. How is a glioma treated? Gliomas are often initially treated with surgery. But if the glioma grows into an important part of the brain or if it can't be reached, surgery might not be an option. In that case, other treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be offered. To control symptoms, you may also be offered various medicines. These may include medications to control seizures, reduce swelling, help with memory issues and improve alertness if you're fatigued. The Cleveland Clinic notes there are four grades of astrocytomas, with grade one being curable using surgery and grade two being rarely curable. For grade three and grade four (glioblastomas), there is no cure. Is a glioma deadly? The Canadian Cancer Society notes that survival statistics for brain and spinal cord tumours cannot be used to predict a person's survival chances, since these are very general estimates. Survival rates for brain tumours will vary widely, depending on the tumour type, grade and location in the brain. But in general: Low-grade tumours have a better prognosis that high-grade tumours People under age 65 have a better prognosis Tumours that can be surgically removed have a better prognosis Tumours that grow into parts of the brain where it can't be removed by surgery come with lower survival rates For astrocytomas, the Canadian Cancer Society's most recent data includes patients diagnosed and treated between 1973 and 2004, meaning survival rates may have risen since then. But out of that data, the median survival rates for each grade of astrocytoma include: Grade 1: A greater than 90 per cent five-year survival rate Grade 2: Five to seven years Grade 3: Two to three years Grade 4 (glioblastoma): 12 to 14 months
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Kelley Mack dead at 33: 'Walking Dead' actress 'passed peacefully' of complications from glioma, her family says
'She would want you all to know how much she loves you,' her sister wrote in an Instagram post announcing her death. Kelley Mack, an actress best known for her role as Addy on the television series The Walking Dead, died last weekend, her family announced on Tuesday. She was 33. Mack was diagnosed with glioma, an aggressive tumor that affects the central nervous system, last year. 'It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley,' her sister, Kathryn Klebenow, said in a statement posted to her Instagram page. 'Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go.' Mack 'passed peacefully' on Saturday evening surrounded by loved ones at her home in Cincinnati, Klebenow's note said. She is survived by Kathryn; her brother Parker; parents Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow; grandparents Lois and Larry Klebenow; and her boyfriend Logan Lanier. 'She would want you all to know how much she loves you,' Klebenow added. 'And as her sister, I want you all to know how brave that tough SOB was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God. I'm so f***ing proud of her. What is glioma? According to the Mayo Clinic, a glioma is a growth of cells that starts in the brain or spinal cord. The cells eventually form a tumor that 'can grow to press on brain or spinal cord tissue,' per the Mayo Clinic. The tumors can be benign or malignant, and symptoms can include headaches, nausea, seizures, fatigue, or weakness in the arms or legs, depending on which part of the brain or spinal cord is affected. In January, Mack revealed in an Instagram post that she had started experiencing 'persistent lower back pain' last fall, which led her to believe she had slipped a disc. 'A few weeks later, I had neuropathic itching in my right quad,' she explained. 'And then, the shooting pains in my legs and back began, which resulted in me having to sleep in a recliner for a month because laying down was too painful.' The day before Thanksgiving, she had an emergency MRI, which revealed an abnormal mass in her spinal cord. After having biopsy surgery on her spinal cord, she said she lost most of the use of her legs, 'so I now get around with a walker and a wheelchair.' She was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare type of cancer known as astrocytoma, and began radiation treatment in January. A 'love for storytelling' Mack was born Kelley Lynne Klebenow on July 10, 1992, in Cincinnati. According to a bio posted by her family on the Caring Bridge website, Kelley's 'love for storytelling' began at a young age when she was given a mini video camera as a birthday gift. 'This sparked a lifelong passion for the arts, leading her to begin acting in commercials as a child.' After graduating high school in Hinsdale, Ill., she enrolled at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., where she earned a bachelor's degree in cinematography in 2014. According to IMDB, Mack has 35 acting credits, including The Walking Dead, Chicago Med and 9-1-1. 'An incredible human' Tributes have begun to pour in from fans, friends and fellow actors. 'What an incredible human,' Alanna Masterson, who co-starred with Mack in The Walking Dead, wrote on Instragram. 'So proud to have fought alongside her in our final episode together.' Mack's family said it will host a 'celebration and recognition of Kelley's life' at the Glendale Lyceum in Glendale, Ohio, on Aug. 16. The family is also planning to hold a celebration of Mack's life at a future date in the Los Angeles area. Solve the daily Crossword