HEAVEN GAINS A GENTLE GIANT: “30 Rock” Star Grizz Chapman Passes Away Safely In His Sleep At 52 After Long Kidney Battle
A truly devastating loss has hit the television community, as Media Take Out has learned that beloved character actor Grizzwald “Grizz” Chapman passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, May 22, 2026.The imposing yet incredibly warm-hearted star, who famously portrayed Tracy Morgan’s loyal, wise bodyguard on the smash NBC sitcom 30 Rock, was just 52 years old, having celebrated his birthday on April 16.
The heartbreaking news was first shared by his long-time friend and on-screen partner Kevin Brown, who played fellow entourage bodyguard “Dot Com” on the iconic series. Taking to Facebook with heavy hearts, Brown shared stills of the two working together, writing, “I regret to inform you that Mack Chapman aka Grizz Chapman, passed today. May he RIP.”
A Brave Battle Behind The Scenes
While his imposing 6-foot-11 presence brought endless laughs to millions of viewers over the show’s seven-season run, Chapman was fighting an incredibly difficult and private battle against his own body behind the camera. The actor suffered for decades from severe high blood pressure, which ultimately caused complete kidney failure.
Though he successfully underwent a life-saving kidney transplant back in 2010—even using his platform to become a passionate national spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation—his body tragically fell back into severe renal failure over the years. Sources close to the family confirm he had been on intensive kidney dialysis for quite some time leading up to his peaceful passing.
From Strip Club Bouncer To Hollywood Royalty
Chapman’s rise to Hollywood fame is the absolute stuff of legend. During a special commentary track for the early 30 Rock episode “Tracy Does Conan”, Tracy Morgan revealed that he originally discovered Chapman while he was working a tough gig as a bouncer at a New York strip club. Morgan was so captivated by his gentle-giant energy and massive charisma that he brought him right into the NBC family.
Alongside Dot Com, Grizz became a massive fan-favorite element of the show’s award-winning comedy formula. Far from just muscle, Chapman used his role to show off impeccable deadpan delivery and surprise wisdom, eventually branching out to create his own viral YouTube sketch series, Grizz Chroniclez.
The Man Behind The Screen
Following the devastating announcement, Chapman’s cousin, Harlem Globetrotter Donte “Hammer” Harrison, took to Instagram to share an emotional tribute to the man his family loved so dearly, confirming his wife Diana Chapman and their two boys are completely crushed.
“Life gave my cousin Grizz Chapman some heavy battles, but he fought them with strength and dignity until the very end,” Harrison wrote alongside a photo of Chapman and his youngest son, Christian. “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. I’m thankful we got time to reconnect 2 months before his passing. Rest easy, cousin.”
Media Take Out sends our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Diana, their two sons, and the entire 30 Rock family during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in power, Grizz.
What was your absolute favorite Grizz moment or quote from “30 Rock”? Let us know in the comments below.