How did Grizz Chapman die? GoFundMe raises $17,000 after 30 Rock star’s death sparks tributes

Actor Grizz Chapman, widely recognised for his role in 30 Rock, has passed away, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. While initial reports confirmed his death on Friday, May 22. While the details regarding the exact cause were not immediately disclosed, leading to speculations and concerns among fans about what led to his sudden death. Let's find out what really happened.


According to his manager, Renee Glicker, Chapman had been dealing with long-term health complications and had been "just struggling to stay alive" in the period leading up to his death. Although an official cause has not been confirmed yet, it has been suggested that multiple underlying health issues may have contributed to his sudden death.

The PrimeTimer reported that Grizz Chapman was diagnosed with hypertension before undergoing a kidney transplant, a condition he initially overlooked. This allegedly contributed to his later kidney complications, requiring dialysis three times a week.

In December 2024, while he was not at home, a freight truck crashed into his Virginia condo bedroom, destroying most of his belongings and leaving him effectively without a home.

During this difficult time, his former 30 Rock co-star Kevin Brown launched a GoFundMe campaign to support him, which ultimately raised about $17,537, which is about 88 per cent of its $20,000 target.

Grizz Chapman was most recently seen in the 2021 short film Diving in Stilettos. First, he began his acting career portraying a fictionalised version of himself as a bodyguard to Tracy Jordan, played by Tracy Morgan.


He was widely known for this role, which brought him recognition in television. According to reports, Chapman was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2007 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2010. However, complications reportedly persisted over the years, partly due to his exceptionally tall stature.

In most recent times, he was said to have been struggling again to find a suitable donor and was undergoing multiple dialysis treatments.