30 Rock actor Grizz Chapman has died, aged 52.
The news was announced by his representative, Saideh A Brown, on Friday (May 22), with no cause of death given, although the actor’s cousin claimed on social media that he spent years “fighting illness”.
In the beloved NBC sitcom 30 Rock, Chapman played Grizz, who was the childhood friend-turned-assistant of Tracy Morgan’s character, Tracy Jordan. In the show, Grizz has a history with Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon, and appeared in 80 episodes from the first season in 2006 through to the seventh and final season, which premiered in 2012.
His other credits include TV shows The Blacklist and Blue Bloods, Adam Sandler film The Cobbler, as well as his own YouTube sketch series, titled The Grizz Chronicles.
According to the Associated Press, Chapman had a kidney transplant in 2010 after needing dialysis three times a week. He was initially diagnosed with hypertension, which he left untreated, causing him to later develop kidney disease. He became a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation after undergoing a kidney transplant.
rest in peace grizz chapman, you were the sweetest part of the funniest show ever made. long live grizz and dotcom! long live 30 rock!
“tracy, i love you, but i’ve known dotcom ever since we went to 'above the beanstalk', a free summer camp for giants.” pic.twitter.com/9RCFuwE8jF
— himpath (francis etc) (@gorgeousbrains) May 23, 2026
After news of his passing emerged, Harlem Globetrotter Donte “Hammer” Harrison – Chapman’s cousin – shared a moving tribute on social media.
“Life gave my cousin Grizz Chapman some heavy battles, but he fought them with strength and dignity until the very end,” Harrison wrote on Instagram.
“A lot of people knew him as the sitcom star from 30 Rock, but we knew the man behind the screen. A good heart, good energy, and somebody who made an impact in this life. After years of fighting illness and dialysis, he passed peacefully in his sleep on May 22nd, 2026.
“I’m thankful we got time to reconnect 2 months before his passing. Rest easy, cousin. Your name and legacy will live on forever.”
30 Rock fans have joined him in paying tribute to Chapman, with one taking to X/Twitter to say he was “the sweetest part of the funniest show ever made”.
Chapman is survived by his wife and two children.
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