While an official statement from his medical team is still pending, close family members have opened up about his quiet departure. Chapman’s cousin, Harlem Globetrotter Donte “Hammer” Harrison, shared a deeply moving tribute on Instagram alongside a series of photos, offering a glimpse into the actor’s private struggles and immense personal resilience.
Harrison shared that life had handed his cousin some incredibly heavy health battles, which he consistently fought with absolute strength and dignity until the very end. He noted that while millions knew him strictly as a prominent sitcom star, his family knew the deeply compassionate man behind the screen—someone carrying a massive heart, pure energy, and an ability to make a lasting impact on everyone he met.
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The tribute also confirmed that after years of dealing with severe illness and routine dialysis treatments, Chapman passed away peacefully in his sleep.
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Co-Stars Share Their Grief
The loss has deeply affected his 30 Rock family. Long-time friend and co-star Kevin Brown, who portrayed “Dot Com” as part of the iconic on-screen entourage, took to Facebook to share his profound grief. Posting classic stills of the two actors sharing the screen, Brown expressed his deep regret in informing the public of his close friend’s passing, wishing him eternal rest.
Leaving Behind a Memorable On-Screen Legacy
Standing at a commanding 6 feet 11 inches, Chapman quickly became an absolute fan favorite on 30 Rock, running from 2006 to 2013. Serving as the calm, reasonable, and intensely loyal bodyguard to Tracy Morgan’s erratic character, Tracy Jordan, Chapman’s brilliant comedic timing and deadpan delivery made his scenes unforgettable.
Beyond his iconic television tenure, Chapman was a passionate creator who expanded his talents to projects like The Cobbler, You Must Be Joking, and Home. He also actively engaged with his audience online, producing a popular series of independent digital comedy sketches titled Grizz Chroniclez. He is survived by his wife, Diana Chapman, and their two children.