Harris Wittels, Comedy Writer and ‘Parks and Recreation’ Producer, Found Dead

Harris Wittels a stand-up Comedian, Producer, Writer on numerous shows, founder of the term ‘Humblebrag’ on Twitter and a Drummer was found dead by his assistant at his home in L.A.

Harris Wittels the co-executive producer of the NBC comedy ‘Parks and Recreation’ found dead at his home in L.A., California. Wittels was 30 years old at the time of his death and according to the LAPD died due to an apparent case of drug overdose. Wittels body was found by his assistant at about 2:00 pm in the afternoon. 

Wittels worked on ‘Parks and Recreation’ since its debut in 2011 as a staff write, soon he went on to become the co-executive producer of the show. The show ‘Parks and Recreation’ is slated to end this year and the finale will feature next week. Wittels also appeared in a small role on show as an incompetent animal control officer. 

Wittels also produced and wrote for other shows such as ‘The Sarah Silverman Program’, ‘Eastbound and Down’ and ‘Secret Girlfriend’. In addition to producing and writing, Wittels was also a stand-up comedian and drummer for the band Don’t Stop or Well Die with fellow comedians Paul Rust and Michael Cassady. 

Wittels is also credited with coining the term ‘Humblebrag’ on his Twitter account. He even penned a coffee table book from his Twitter account called ‘Humblebrag: The Art of False Modesty’ based upon his tweets in 2012.

Vampires can’t die unless their heart is stopped. But like, same with humans? just havin some fun with thought experiments, i dunno.— Harris Wittels (@twittels) February 13, 2015

Wittels has a substantially large Twitter following with about 87.5K followers. Wittels was open about his struggles with drug addiction and even talked about it publicly last September. Wittels had twice been to rehab due to his addiction and was reportedly clean until recently.

Lookin for a girl who hates to laugh.— Harris Wittels (@twittels) February 14, 2015

After news of his demise was confirmed tributes in the form tweets starting coming from friends, colleagues and followers. The most prominent tweets were from Sarah Silverman. Silverman in her tweets described Wittels as brilliant beyond compare and with an imagination without limit.

He was my baby. I just keep thinking of superman flying backwards around the earth. I wish I could do that. I’m so mad at you Harris— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 20, 2015

You should know that Harris was brilliant beyond compare. That his imagination was without limit. That he loved comedy more than anything.— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 20, 2015

That his heart was big and he FELT hard. That he was someone who would reach out to tell you he was thinking of you for no particular reason— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 20, 2015

That he was honest even if it was gonna piss u off or make him look shitty. He told the truth. Even when it was ugly. Even when he lied.— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 20, 2015

Other prominent figures and accounts on twitter such as Comedy Central, Seth Meyers, Funny or Die, Billy Eichner, Dane Cook and Timothy Simons all shared their respect and praise for the late comedian.

RIP @twittels (aka @Humblebrag) I didn’t know you well but you always made me feel more accomplished and deserving. #funnyguy— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) February 20, 2015

I did not know Harris Wittels but I was a huge fan of his work. Thoughts and love to those who have lost a friend.— Timothy Simons (@timothycsimons) February 20, 2015

RIP and thank you, Harris Wittels.— Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) February 20, 2015

I don’t know what to say at all except for RIP @twittels.— sean oconnor (@seanoconnz) February 20, 2015

My fave Harris joke was I read Playboy for the articles… of clothing that’s removed from their butts and their boobs.— sean oconnor (@seanoconnz) February 20, 2015

Such heartbreaking news about Harris Wittels. A really funny guy.— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) February 20, 2015

Don’t know what to say. Harris Wittels was a fantastic writer I had the pleasure to work with at Parks and Rec. So so sad. RIP Harris.— billy eichner (@billyeichner) February 20, 2015

Harris Wittels was an incredibly funny person who has left us way too soon. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/XtLjCw3BLs— Funny Or Die (@funnyordie) February 20, 2015

Joe Mande a writer on ‘Parks and Recreation’ tweeted Wittels was the most effortlessly funny person ever and he would have hated to see all these tweets about him. 

I met Harris in 2002 & sought his approval ever since. He was the most effortlessly funny person I’ve ever known. He’d hate all these tweets— joe mande (@JoeMande) February 20, 2015

TMZ first reported about death of Harris Wittels. Currently Wittels’ death is the most talked about topic and top trend on Twitter with fans and followers shocked about the circumstances of his death.

My god we are so heartbroken over the loss of Harris Wittels and feel lucky to have known him at all.— The Meltdown (@meltdown_show) February 20, 2015

I liked Harris Wittels. Good guy. Genuinely funny. What a shame.— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 20, 2015

I mean, look at his tweets. One of them made me laugh even right now. This pic is from LAST NIGHT. Fuck. https://t.co/977ITsDwLx— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) February 20, 2015

@kumailn I took this last night. What a fucking tragedy. pic.twitter.com/O3xeKEjCY8— Morgan Miller (@MrMorganMiller) February 20, 2015

It’s so strange to see something funny & have it make you feel sad.— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) February 20, 2015

“we’re all trying to avoid thinking about death, that’s why we get excited about these stupid, human interactions.” – Harris last night— Steve Agee (@steveagee) February 20, 2015