'30 Rock' Actor Dead At 52

Grizz Chapman, who was best known for his work on the iconic sitcom30 Rock, has died at the age of 52, TMZ reports.

A representative for the actor told the outlet that he died on Friday, May 22, but no other details were released. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Chapman's cousin, Donte "Hammer" Harrison, also shared the news on his Instagram in a heartfelt tribute.

"Life gave my cousin Grizz Chapman some heavy battles, but he fought them with strength and dignity until the very end," Harrison, who is on the Harlem Globetrotters, wrote. "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.

"After years of fighting illness and dialysis, he passed peacefully in his sleep on May 22nd, 2026. I'm thankful we got time to reconnect 2 months before his passing. Rest easy, cousin. Your name and legacy will live on forever."

He met fellow 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan while working as a bouncer at a strip club, which then led to his role in the hit NBC show. Grizz, who is seven feet tall, was a member of Tracy Jordan's entourage and remained a recurring member for all seven seasons.

Along with his work on 30 Rock, Chapman appeared in other shows, including "Blue Bloods" and "The Black List." He also created a YouTube sketch series called "Grizz Chroniclez."

Fans paid tribute to the actor following the sad news.

"Sad news. Grizz Chapman brought a lot of warmth and humor to every scene on 30 Rock," one person wrote.

"No way!!!!! Griz!!! 😢," another person commented.

"whaaaaaaaat!!!! that's so sad, especially in the middle of my rewatch RIP," someone shared.

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 7:36 PM.