Tracy Morgan, the U.S. comedian who plays a caricature of himself on the TV series 30 Rock, is recovering from a kidney transplant, his publicist has confirmed.

In a statement released Monday, Morgan's publicist said the actor will miss a few episodes of the series, but expects to return to work soon.

"Tracy is doing well and taking some much-needed time to recover after the surgery. He is looking forward to going back to work after the holidays," the statement said.

Morgan, 42, had surgery Dec. 10 to replace a kidney. He has suffered from diabetes for the past 15 years.

In an interview in 2006, Morgan told Time magazine he did not take his diabetes seriously until a doctor told him he could lose a foot to the disease.

"That was it for me. Now I take my insulin every day," he said.

Another member of the 30 Rock cast, Grizz Chapman, had a kidney transplant last year and is a national spokesman for the U.S. Kidney Foundation.