30 Rock star Grizz Chapman dies aged 52 after kidney issues

Grizz Chapman, known for his role in 30 Rock, has died at age 52 after a series of health issues.

The actor passed away on Friday local time, his representative confirmed to TMZ, which first reported the news.

His manager, Renee Glicker, also spoke to the outlet, telling them the actor was "just struggling to stay alive" as he faced a number of medical conditions.

The comedy star was in need of another kidney transplant after his first one back in 2010, but due to his height of two metres and 13 cm, it was hard to find a match.

Though his cause of death has not been confirmed yet, Glicker told the outlet she believed there were "a number of contributing factors" towards it.

The actor was remembered by his cousin Donte "Hammer" Harrison of the American exhibition basketball team Harlem Globetrotters, who posted a lengthy tribute to his late cousin on Instagram.

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"Life gave my cousin Grizz Chapman some heavy battles, but he fought them with strength and dignity until the very end," Harrison penned alongside a photo of the pair on a basketball court, as well as many photos of Chapman throughout his career.

"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.

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"I'm thankful we got time to reconnect 2 months before his passing. Rest easy, cousin. Your name and legacy will live on forever."

Chapman is best known for his role in 30 Rock where he played Grizz Griswold alongside actors Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan. He appeared on the show from 2006 to 2013, after having met Morgan while working as a bouncer in a New York nightclub and sparking a friendship.

He told CBR in 2012, "I worked hard to get the part, and a lot of people think that because Tracy and me are friends, I automatically got the part.

"What I can say is that Tracy was an integral part in me keeping my job because there were four members of the entourage originally, but NBC came to Tina Fey and Tracy and said they couldn't pay for all four.

"So, Tracy said we're gonna keep just two guys, which included me. I made the cut. I worked hard to get there. I worked really hard."

Chapman went on to appear in TV shows such as The Black List and Blue Bloods, and movies like Money Monster, as well as his own YouTube sketch series.

He is survived by his wife and two children, who are reportedly "devastated" following his death.

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