30 Rock fans are mourning a heartbreaking loss after beloved actor Grizz Chapman died at just 52 years old.
Chapman, best known for playing Grizz on the hit NBC sitcom alongside Tracy Morgan, reportedly passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 22, 2026, after years of serious health struggles.
The sad news was shared by members of his family, including his cousin Donte “Hammer” Harrison of the Harlem Globetrotters, who posted an emotional tribute to the actor on Instagram.
“Life gave my cousin Grizz Chapman some heavy battles, but he fought them with strength and dignity until the very end,” Harrison wrote.
He said many fans knew Chapman as the sitcom star from 30 Rock, but his family knew the real man behind the screen.
“A good heart, good energy, and somebody who made an impact in this life,” Harrison continued. “After years of fighting illness and dialysis, he passed peacefully in his sleep on May 22nd, 2026.”
Harrison added that he was grateful he had a chance to reconnect with Chapman two months before his death.
“Rest easy, cousin. Your name and legacy will live on forever,” he wrote.
Fans were crushed as the news spread online. Many remembered Chapman not only for his size and screen presence, but for the warmth and humor he brought to one of NBC’s most popular comedies.
“So sorry for your loss. Thank you to Grizz for all the laughs,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Rest easy, Grizz. I only knew him through his acting but his performances brought me and many others so much joy.”
A third fan remembered him as “awesomely funny in 30 Rock,” while another wrote, “He brought joy to so many people. May he RIP.”
No official cause of death has been confirmed.
Chapman had battled major health problems for years. In 2010, he underwent a kidney transplant after suffering from severe hypertension and kidney disease. Before receiving the transplant, he had been on regular dialysis.
Rather than keep his health battle private, Chapman used his platform to help others. He became a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation in 2010 and worked to raise awareness about hypertension and kidney disease.
He also appeared on The Dr. Oz Show in 2009, where he spoke openly about the medical struggles that had changed his life.
Born in Brooklyn in 1974, Chapman did not take a typical path to Hollywood. Before landing on television, the towering seven-foot actor worked as a bouncer at a strip club. That is where he first crossed paths with Tracy Morgan.
That meeting changed everything.
Chapman later joined 30 Rock in 2006 as part of Tracy Jordan’s entourage. He appeared alongside Dot Com, played by Kevin Brown, and quickly became a familiar face to fans of the Emmy-winning sitcom.
Though he started as a supporting character, Grizz became a fan favorite and appeared in roughly 80 episodes across all seven seasons.
His quiet comic timing, unforgettable look, and chemistry with Morgan made him a standout in a cast packed with stars.
Chapman is survived by his wife and two children.
His death leaves behind grieving fans, a heartbroken family, and a comedy legacy that helped make 30 Rock one of the most memorable sitcoms of its era.
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