Grizz Chapman Dead at 52: 30 Rock Star Dies After Long Health Battle
- Je-Ree
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Grizz Chapman, the towering actor best known for his role as Grizz on the hit NBC comedy series 30 Rock, has died at the age of 52. His representative, Saideh A. Brown, confirmed that the actor passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 22. The news marks the loss of a memorable television presence who spent years entertaining audiences while quietly battling severe chronic health issues.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, the seven foot tall Chapman did not start his career in Hollywood. He was working as a bouncer at a New York strip club when he first met comedian Tracy Morgan. That chance meeting changed his life. Morgan invited Chapman to join the cast of 30 Rock.
Chapman portrayed Grizz, a gentle giant who served as part of the entourage for Morgan's fictional character, Tracy Jordan. Alongside Kevin Brown, who played Dot Com, Chapman appeared in 80 episodes of the series between 2006 and 2013. His performance earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Following his success on 30 Rock, Chapman secured guest roles on other major television programs, including The Blacklist and The Good Fight.
A Long Battle With Kidney Disease
While filming 30 Rock, Chapman faced major health challenges. He suffered from severe hypertension, which eventually led to kidney failure. During the production of the sitcom, Chapman required regular dialysis treatments multiple times a week.
His health stabilized in July 2010 when he underwent a successful kidney transplant at the University of North Carolina Hospitals. Following the surgery, Chapman used his public platform to raise awareness about organ donation. He became a formal spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation, working to educate the public about the dangers of high blood pressure and the importance of early kidney screening.
Final Details And Legacy
While an official medical cause of death has not been released by his representative, family members confirmed that Chapman succumbed to complications from his long history of illness and kidney disease. He is survived by his wife, Diane Chapman, and their two children.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones.