Grizz Chapman, an actor best known for his role as Grizz on the NBC hit television series \u201c30 Rock,\u201d died on Friday. He was 52.<\/p>\n
His cousin, the Harlem Globetrotter Donte Harrison, confirmed Mr. Chapman\u2019s death<\/a> on social media.<\/p>\n A cause of death was not given, but Mr. Harrison said Mr. Chapman died in his sleep \u201cafter years of fighting illness and dialysis.\u201d<\/p>\n While there are several acting credits<\/a> listed to Mr. Chapman\u2019s name on IMDb, his role on \u201c30 Rock\u201d as a member of Tracy Morgan\u2019s entourage was arguably the breakout part for the towering actor.<\/p>\n Mr. Chapman met Mr. Morgan while working as a bouncer at a strip club, and the two formed a friendship.<\/p>\n Speaking to CBR in 2012<\/a>, Mr. Chapman said he worked hard to get the part, and credited Mr. Morgan with being \u201can integral part in me keeping my job.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c30 Rock,\u201d which starred Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, chronicled the behind-the-scenes production of a fictional sketch comedy television show and was known for its rapid-fire jokes.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were four members of the entourage originally, but NBC came to Tina Fey and Tracy and said they couldn\u2019t pay for all four,\u201d Mr. Chapman said in the 2012 interview. \u201cSo Tracy said we\u2019re gonna keep just two guys, which included me. I made the cut. I worked hard to get there. I worked really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Mack D. Chapman was born on April 16, 1974. Information on survivors was not immediately available.<\/p>\n