30 Rock fans are mourning the death of actor Grizz Chapman, the beloved performer best known for playing Grizz alongside Tracy Morgan on the hit NBC sitcom.
Chapman reportedly died peacefully in his sleep on May 22, 2026. He was 52.
The heartbreaking news was shared by members of his family, including his cousin Donte “Hammer” Harrison of the Harlem Globetrotters, who posted an emotional tribute online.
“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 people knew Chapman as the sitcom star from 30 Rock, but his loved ones knew the 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 said he was grateful that the two had time to reconnect just two months before Chapman’s death.
“Rest easy, cousin. Your name and legacy will live on forever,” he wrote.
Fans quickly flooded social media with tributes as news of Chapman’s death spread.
“So sorry for your loss. Thank you to Grizz for all the laughs,” one person wrote.
“Rest easy, Grizz,” another fan commented. “I only knew him through his acting but his performances brought me and many others so much joy. Much love to you and his other family and friends.”
“Awesomely funny in 30 Rock. My condolences,” another person added.
“Sorry for your loss. He brought joy to so many people. May he RIP,” a fan wrote.
No official cause of death has been confirmed.
Chapman had battled serious health problems for many years. In July 2010, he underwent a kidney transplant after suffering from severe hypertension and kidney disease. Before the transplant, he had been receiving regular dialysis treatment.
His own medical journey led him to become an advocate for others. Chapman 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 his health struggles.
Born in Brooklyn in 1974, Chapman took an unusual path into show business.
Before becoming a familiar face on television, the seven-foot-tall performer worked as a bouncer at a strip club. That is where he first met Tracy Morgan.
That friendship eventually helped lead Chapman to 30 Rock in 2006, where he played Grizz, one of Tracy Jordan’s entourage members, alongside Dot Com, played by Kevin Brown.
Although he started as a supporting character, Chapman quickly became a fan favorite. He appeared in around 80 episodes across all seven seasons of the Emmy-winning comedy.
For longtime 30 Rock viewers, Grizz was part of the show’s strange, hilarious magic. He could steal a scene with just a look, a deadpan line, or his quiet chemistry with Morgan and Brown.
Chapman is survived by his wife and two children.