30 Rock actor Grizz Chapman has died, aged 52.
The news was announced by his representative, Saideh A Brown, on Friday (22 May) – and while no cause of death was given, the actor’s cousin claimed on social media that he spent years “fighting illness”.
In the hit NBC sitcom 30 Rock, Chapman played Grizz, who was the childhood friend-turned-assistant of Tracy Morgan’s character Tracy Jordan.
He appeared in 80 episodes overall from the first season in 2006 right through to the seventh and final season, which premiered in 2012.
In the show, Grizz has a history with Liz Lemon, the lead character played by Tina Fey. His other credits included TV showsThe Blacklist and Blue Bloods, Adam Sandler film The Cobbler (2014) and his own YouTube sketch series called The Grizz Chronicles.
According to the Associated Press, Chapman had a kidney transplant in 2010 after needing dialysis three times a week. He was initially diagnosed with hypertension, which he left untreated and developed kidney disease
Speaking about the transplant, he told CBS at the time: “I’m a little nervous about the process, but I’m definitely willing and able.”
When being interviewed by TV medic Dr Oz, while on the waiting list for the procedure, he was asked what his wish was, to which he replied: “I wanna stay alive.”
30 Rock fans are paying tribute to Chapman, with one writing on X/Twitter: “Sad news. Grizz Chapman brought a lot of warmth and humor to every scene,” with another adding: “Grizz had phenomenal comedic timing and so many great lines. He made me countless times during several 30 Rock rewatches. This is a rough one, I hope he rests well.”
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TV director Patrick Cotnoir added: “Truly a nice, warm man who loved comedy and loved the recognition he got from 30 Rock. Did a handful of shows with him my first few years in New York and couldn’t have been cooler to everyone he came across there.”
