Grizzwald Chapman
30 Rock star Grizzwald Chapman has struck up an unexpected friendship with his kidney donor following surgery earlier this year (10) - and is grateful to have a new "chance at life".
I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. I wanted to be with my family and wanted to see my 11-year-old son grow up.
The funnyman, who suffers from severe hypertension, dropped from 505 to 350 pounds (230 to 159 kilograms) in order to undergo the lifesaving operation at New York's Montefiore Medical Center in July (10).
He tells People.com, "I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. I wanted to be with my family and wanted to see my 11-year-old son grow up. When you go through something like this, you learn to appreciate little things - the birds, trees, flowers. I pay attention to everything now - the taste of bread, the taste of water. It all feels different now."
And Chapman, who plays Tracy Morgan's sidekick on the hit TV comedy, admits he'll be forever grateful to the 20-year-old single Arizona man whose kidney saved his life.
Chapman adds, "He wasn't a fan of 30 Rock and didn't watch it. He was a total stranger who was going to donate a kidney, regardless."
And the actor is still in touch with the donor, who does not wish to be identified: "We talk all the time. He just sent me some pictures from a wonderful trip he took, and I told him I was a little jealous. Next time he goes, I am going with him."
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