Categories: Home FeaturedNews

Harris Wittels, ‘Parks & Rec’ Writer & Producer, Dies At 30

Harris Wittels, a writer and executive producer for Parks and Recreation, died at his home Thursday afternoon of an apparent drug overdose. He was 30.

Harris Wittels Dead At 30

Wittels was pronounced dead around 1 p.m. after he was found unresponsive lying on his coach, law enforcement sources told TMZ. Drug paraphernalia was discovered in the home. No foul play is suspected, as there were no signs of trauma to his body.

Over the years, Wittels had spoken openly about his addiction to heroin and had gone to rehab twice. “I just really stopped caring about my life,” Wittels said on the podcast “You Made It Weird” in November. “I just really started to think, well, if I’m only here for 80 years, then who cares if I spend it high or not?”

“Out of a billion years, 80 or 50 or 30 years is nothing. It’s all the same,” Wittels continued. “I’m still trying to figure out how to really value my life. I don’t have a wife or kids or anything, so there’s no one truly depending on me.”

Thursday evening, after learning of Wittels death, Amy Poehler, who worked with him on Parks and Recreation, was honored at Variety’s second annual unite4humanity event. Addressing the loss, Poehler said, “Today, I lost a friend. I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction. I’m sharing it with you because life and death live so close together, and we walk that fine line everyday. When things happen in our lives, we turn to the people that we love…and we lean on people, in a hope that we will ease our pain.”

“So, I don’t really feel like telling any jokes,” Poehler added. “I’m kind of sad, and it’s really great to be here tonight and listen to all of you, and listen to the great work that you do and be reminded why we live in this bizarre planet called ‘Hollywood.’ It’s very strange.”

In addition to Parks and Recreation, which will air its season finale next week, Wittels produced and wrote for Eastbound and Down and The Sarah Silverman Program. He’s also known for bringing the term “humblebrag” into the mainstream.

Wittel’s passing led to an outpouring of tributes on Twitter from his friends in the industry:

Chelsea Regan

Recent Posts

Tony Bennett’s Daughters Sue Brother For Mismanagement Of Late Singer’s Finances While He Had Alzheimer’s

Antonia and Johanna Bennett, daughters of the late singer Tony Bennett, have sued their brother, Danny Bennett, accusing…

3 hours ago

‘Real Housewives’ Star Larsa Pippen Dating Yet Another Basketball Player, Jeff Coby, While Ex Marcus Jordan Faces DUI Charges

Following the breakup of her relationship with Marcus Jordan, Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa…

3 hours ago

‘Last Week Tonight’ Host John Oliver Sued By Healthcare Exec For Defamation, Says Comments Were ‘Distorted For Entertainment Purposes’

Dr. Brian Morley, a physician and former medical director at AmeriHealth Caritas, has initiated a defamation…

7 hours ago

Chet Hanks Honors Dad’s Role In ‘Forrest Gump’-Inspired Music Video – With Guest Appearance By Tom Hanks

Chet Hanks is taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane with his latest music video,…

9 hours ago

Tori Spelling Cries About Ex-Husband Dean McDermott: ‘I Don’t Want To Die Alone’

During a new episode of her podcast, Tori Spelling revealed her mixed feelings following the…

13 hours ago

InfoWars’ Alex Jones’ Wife Gets Restraining Order As Sandy Hook Families Seek Payment Of $1.5B Judgment

Alex Jones, founder of the conspiracy theory website InfoWars, is divorcing his wife, Erika Wulff,…

13 hours ago