'30 Rock' actor Grizz Chapman dies at 52

Grizz Chapman, the actor best known for playing Tracy Jordan’s loyal entourage member on the hit NBC sitcom 30 Rock, has died at the age of 52.

According to Variety, Chapman died on Friday. His death was confirmed by his longtime representative, though no official cause of death has been publicly released.

Chapman became a fan favourite for portraying "Grizz", one of Tracy Morgan’s soft-spoken bodyguards and closest companions on 30 Rock. He appeared in 80 episodes of the Tina Fey-created comedy series during its seven-season run.

His longtime co-star Kevin Brown, who played Dot Com on the series, paid tribute to Chapman on social media following news of his death.

Beyond 30 Rock, Chapman also appeared in shows including The Blacklist, Blue Bloods and The Good Fight. He additionally created a YouTube sketch-comedy series titled Grizz Chroniclez.

Multiple reports stated Chapman had privately battled serious health issues for years, including kidney disease and dialysis treatments. He previously underwent a kidney transplant in 2010 and later became a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about hypertension and kidney disease.

Chapman is survived by his wife and two children.