Grizz Chapman, ’30 Rock’ actor who received kidney transplant from a fan, dies at 52

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Grizz Chapman, the actor who played Grizz on the Emmy-winning NBC comedy “30 Rock,” has passed away at the age of 52.

Chapman’s cousin, Donte Harrison, confirmed the actor’s death on social media.

I was so saddened to hear about my cousin, Grizz Chapman. He faced some really tough challenges in his life, but he always handled them with incredible strength and grace, right to the very end. A lot of people knew him as the funny guy from 30 Rock, and he was hilarious, but we who knew him personally will remember the kind, energetic person he truly was – someone who genuinely made a difference in the lives of those around him.

He died peacefully in his sleep on May 22, 2026, after a long battle with illness and dialysis. I’m grateful we had a chance to reconnect with him two months before he passed away.

Mack D. Chapman, known professionally as Grizz, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 16, 1974. He earned the nickname ‘Grizz’ while working security at nightclubs in New York City. He became famous for playing the tall, imposing bodyguard, Grizz, on the hit TV show “30 Rock,” alongside Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, and Alec Baldwin. His character was a member of Tracy Jordan’s (played by Tracy Morgan) team.

You know, I read an interview with Tracy Morgan – or Chapman, as he’s sometimes known – recently, and he said getting the role on “30 Rock” was totally bizarre. He described it as the easiest and hardest audition he’d ever had! It’s wild to think about how something can be both at the same time, but I guess that’s showbiz!

Chapman felt he truly came into his own as a performer during the show’s second season. Specifically, in Episode 210, his performance of “Midnight Train to Georgia” with the Emmy-winning cast highlighted the group’s diverse skills. He explained that the episode allowed them to showcase their abilities in dancing, singing, taking direction, and comedy.

Besides his acting roles in films like “The Cobbler” with Adam Sandler (2014) and “Money Monster” with George Clooney and Julia Roberts (2016), Chapman also supported the National Kidney Foundation.

For years, the actor dealt with high blood pressure, kidney problems, and weight issues. In 2009, he publicly shared that he needed a kidney transplant and, on “The Dr. Oz Show,” expressed his desire to find a lasting solution, saying, “I don’t want to go through this forever.”

When I heard the news, Chapman shared with Dr. Oz that it was definitely frightening, but he made a conscious decision to deal with it, no matter what. He said he was going to face it head-on, one way or another, and I really admired that attitude.

When Dr. Oz asked him what he wished for, the actor said, “I want to stay alive.”

While filming “30 Rock,” Chapman had dialysis three times a week for four and a half hours each session, all while waiting for a kidney donor. He lost over 150 pounds in an effort to become healthy enough for a transplant. After an appearance on “Dr. Oz,” a fan named Ryan Perkins traveled from Arizona to New York to meet him. Perkins, who was in his early twenties at the time, was determined to make a difference in someone’s life.

Chapman described feeling overwhelmed with emotion and excitement, saying he just wanted to shout with joy after meeting someone so eager to offer help, according to the East Valley Tribune.

It’s impossible to truly thank someone for a kindness like that. It’s not a simple debt like owing money – you can’t just pay it back. It’s a gift you can never fully return.

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2026-05-28 06:31