'30 Rock' star Grizzwald Chapman needs a kidney transplant

Wonderwall, Monday, December 14, 2009, 8:19am (PST)

Tracy Morgan's "30 Rock" buddy "Grizz," aka Grizzwald Chapman, needs a kidney transplant, he revealed on a taping of the "Dr. Oz Show," the New York Daily News reports.

The actor says that after five years of ignoring his hypertension, his kidney function has been reduced to just 5% of what it should be.

Chapman, 35, says that he is receiving dialysis three times a week and is on a waiting list for a new kidney. But at 6'11 and 378 lbs., he needs to lose some serious weight -- 75 lbs -- in order to receive the transplant.

"At first I didn't want to do it," he said about his decision to appear on the show. "But I felt that it would be a good situation for me to enlighten people to what's going on."

Chapman met Dr. Oz at a benefit last fall where the famous doctor agreed to work with the actor, as long as he promised to use the appearance to help others see the risks that severe hypertension can impose on people's kidneys, the News reports.

Oz has since arranged for a team of experts to help Chapman get to his target weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

The Grizz episode of "Dr. Oz" airs Tuesday.