Actor Grizz Chapman Dies at Age 52

Grizz Chapman, the actor known for portraying Tracy Morgan’s sidekick on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, died at age 52. ” No official cause of death has been announced. Born Mack D. Chapman on April 16, 1974, the seven-foot-tall performer appeared in multiple films and television series. His most prominent role was as a fictionalized version of himself in Tracy Jordan’s entourage on Tina Fey’s series.

Chapman first met Morgan while working as a bouncer at a strip club, and the two later became close friends. In a 2012 interview with CBR, Chapman said Morgan helped him remain on the show after NBC sought to reduce the size of the entourage cast. “There were four members of the entourage originally, but NBC came to Tina Fey and Tracy and said they couldn’t pay for all four,” Chapman said.

“So Tracy said we’re gonna keep just two guys, which included me. ” Chapman also discussed challenges related to his height in a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. ” he said. “Why can’t I be a teacher? Why can’t I be a football coach? Why can’t I be a cab driver?

Anything. Anything else than that.

Chapman underwent dialysis treatments while filming 30 Rock and later advocated for kidney disease awareness. In 2010, he received a kidney transplant from a fan after publicly requesting a donor. Outside of 30 Rock, Chapman appeared in films including The Cobbler, Money Monster, and Life of the Party, as well as the series Blue Bloods and The Blacklist.