'30 Rock' Sidekick 'Grizz' Chapman Needs a Kidney Transplant

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 14th 2009 07:54AM

Grizzwald Chapman, known to most as Tracy Morgan's massive and endearing sidekick on NBC's '30 Rock,' is in dire need of a kidney transplant, the actor has revealed during a taping of 'The Dr. Oz Show.' Chapman, just 35 years old, says he suffers from severe hypertension, which requires him to receive dialysis three times a week.

'Grizz' and His Pal Dot-Com in Action

He tells 'Oz' (via New York Daily News) that he's on the waiting list for a kidney, but his size is holding him back. He also reveals that he ignored his high blood pressure for years, refusing to take medication -- and now he has just 5% of his normal kidney function.

With his massive frame -- 6'11" and 378 pounds -- Chapman must drop at least 75 pounds before being considered for the surgery.

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Celebrity Health Scares

'30 Rock' actor Grizzwald 'Grizz' Chapman has announced that he has severe hypertension, and that he only has 5 percent of his kidney function. During a taping of 'The Dr. Oz Show,' Chapman announces that he's on dialysis three times a week, and that he has to shed more than 75 pounds in order to receive a transplant.

Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

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Chapman tells the Daily News that "a lot of this stuff is new to me. Opening up is something I have to learn how to do if I'm going to be in this business." Discussing his episode of 'Oz,' which airs Tuesday, Chapman says "at first I didn't want to do it, but I felt that it would be a good situation for me to enlighten people to what's going on."

The actor hooked up with the famous doctor at a kidney benefit last October, and that Oz promised to help Chapman -- as long as he used his disease for good by showing the risks to others.

Oz calls hypertension "a painful problem for physicians to see because it's preventable ... There are more than 25,000 cases of kidney failure in America each year because of high blood pressure, and the African-American community is especially at risk"

To make good on his promise, Oz has assigned a group of medical experts to help Chapman drop the weight and stay healthy.

Tags: 30 rock, 30Rock, grizzwald chapman, GrizzwaldChapman, tracy morgan, TracyMorgan

Comments

(16)

Monday 14 December

By Holly

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Thats really terrible! I hope he gets better. 30 Rock fans, I think we need a real "Kidney Now!"

Friday 05 February

By Heath Holler

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My brother in law was a donor.It was very successful transplant. I saw the news about him. I don't know him, I never watch the 30 rocks. I'm a big guy myself. I don't know what you need to do to help if i am the right donor for him. Yes, a lot of poor people are unlikely will get the transplant.But with this health care pass. People will able to get it. I am wondering if anyone know how to be the donor? Or how to reach him to help him live. Nobody should die so young. No matter famous or not. everyone have the to live... We are God children...Thanks... Let me know...

By George Earl

Now isn't he a good example of how lifestyle (and that includes eating and drinking) has much to do with what Mama Nature hands down to us, race aside? He's a biggy, in name and size, but don't the two have something to do with the physical disorder that now pretty much controls his life? Oh yes. I hope you get a donor (and are willing to pay that donor), but beyond that I'd like to see you part of a nationwide "Eat & Live Healthy" campaign for "brothers" and "non-brothers." God bless you.

By LivingDonor101

It's illegal to pay a donor, living or deceased, in the U.S. Don't worry about him, he has the money, fame and means to pull a Steve Jobs and/or Natalie Cole. He'll get his kidney while other 'lesser' Americans with end-stage renal disease die because they can't jet across the country or go on national talk shows.

By laura

lifestyle does play such a big role...my hope is that if he does survive this and gets a transplant he takes care of it and changes his ways of eating and thinking, it all matters. i should know, i just had my 5 year anniversary with my transplanted kidney.

By Larry

Hypertension to the degree that this guy has it is a genetic disease. That true of all people not just black people. Weight control, dietary modification, and exercise are all factors that help modify the disease, but are not in and of themselves causative.There are those who have a secondary causes like renovascular disease or adrenal hormone but in general genetic predisposition is the most important factor. Unforturnatly he either did know he had it or didn't take his meds.
excess but

By Jordan

Goes to show you that money can buy you anything. I am 23 and have been on dialysis now for over a year. I am waiting for my third; yes third transplant. I am not overweight, do not have high blood pressure and am not diabetic. If this was any ordinary guy; the Transplant Center would say sorry you're not eligible for a transplant, and that's that. (But hey if you have money we may be able to help you out.)

By metal2000

All his "celebrity status" is getting him is the OPPORTUNITY to get a kidney transplant. Supposedly he's on the list, but won't be eligible unless he drops 75 pounds.

Dr. Oz simply offered to help him get healthy and lose that weight (to meet the requirements of the transplant he seems to be getting the "regular way") as long as he used his semi-celebrity to help others who might be in similar situations and could use a wake-up call.

By Adrienne

I gained weight and my blood pressure went up to the 130s - 140s. My doctor suggested blood pressure medication. I declined. There is no history of hypertension in my family. And yes, I'm African-american. Instead, I bought a Vita-Mix mixer and reduced my sodium intake. I lost 30 lbs and my blood pressure is now 110/80.

By how's it?

hey Mr. Grizz, if you need one i got one....let me know....

By Sandy

The sad thing is, there are millions of people in the United States, who have 2 healthy kidneys. Science has proven we can live with only 1. Then why are there 10's of thousands of people on the national transplant list, with some dying before they get a kidney. Please consider being a donor and help those of us who so desperately need it. For more info visit www.donatelife.net

Sandy, are you BLIND??????????????? i offered a kidney to him and you must think i'm being sarcastic or something....i am a sarcastic type of guy, and yes i was a fireman, but my shoulder had other ideas so i am just a paramedic now and i can offer a kidney to someone that needs one so i did...have a wonderful day...

It is my experience that people will "say" anything you want to hear to make them look good. Nobody knows the let down when someone tells you they will give you a kidney, only to decide not to later. "Saying" and "doing" are 2 different things though. You say you would give him a kidney, but what have you done to make that happen? Have you contacted his transplant team, or the national kidney foundation, or HIM? Or are you just talking on a message board?

Tuesday 15 December

By hd

1) The person giving the Kidney goes through a more painful operation than the one receiving it. Only give one to a close relative, and you might need the extra one.
2) ALL he had to do was take his medication. (1 pill a day or so)I take the meds my Doctors prescribe, its required.
3) Hes FAT. LOSE the weight.
4) Dialysis is not a death sentence. I had an associate that was on it for 30 years and it worked just fine to keep his body functioning. It might be inconvienient ... but thats what you get when you dont take your hypertension medication, Do the drug use of Natalie Cole, Booze it up, or get Hep C (Pam Anderson)from screwing everyone, consuming fecal material, etc.

Wednesday 16 December

By Tiffany

I would give him one of my kidney's tomorrow in exchange for getting to be on 30 rock for one episode. I am dead serious.

Wednesday 14 April

By Mr. Burnett Birthwright(HARLEM)

He needs to take a trip to england or jamaica to see how others are doing an try to get help in place,s where they don,t see things like this how did this happen what girl was he messing with what kind of food was he eating. His life is out of control.

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