💔 Grizz Chapman, the beloved actor best known for playing Tracy Jordan’s loyal bodyguard on 30 Rock, has passed away at the age of 52.
Chapman — whose real name was Mack Chapman — died on Friday, May 22, according to his longtime friend and co-star Kevin Brown, who played Dot Com on the hit NBC comedy series. “I regret to inform you that Mack Chapman aka Grizz Chapman passed today,” Brown shared alongside photos from the show. “May he RIP.”
For millions of fans, Grizz became one of the most memorable parts of 30 Rock thanks to his hilarious chemistry with Tracy Morgan and Dot Com. Playing a fictionalized version of himself, Chapman brought warmth, humor, and quiet charisma to every scene he appeared in. While often standing silently beside Tracy Jordan during chaotic moments, Grizz’s deadpan reactions and unexpected one-liners became fan favorites throughout the series.
According to reports, Chapman had been privately battling serious health issues for years. His cousin, Harlem Globetrotter Donte “Hammer” Harrison, revealed that the actor had been on dialysis and had continued fighting illness with “strength and dignity until the very end.” Harrison described him as more than just a television personality, calling him a man with “a good heart, good energy, and somebody who made an impact in this life.”
What makes the loss even more emotional for fans is that Chapman remained active and positive until the very end. Just days before his passing, he shared a joyful Instagram video of himself dancing at a convention, smiling beside a photo of actor Sean Astin. Looking back now, the post feels heartbreaking — a final glimpse of the warmth and humor people loved about him.
Although 30 Rock made him famous, Chapman continued acting afterward with appearances in Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, and The Good Fight. He also created his own comedy content online through his YouTube sketch series Grizz Chroniclez, showing his passion for entertaining never faded.
Behind the laughter, however, was a man quietly enduring difficult personal battles away from the spotlight. Friends and family now say his resilience inspired everyone around him.
🕊️ Grizz Chapman leaves behind his wife, two children, and a legacy that sitcom fans will never forget.
From 30 Rock laughs to real-life strength, his impact went far beyond the screen.
