Harris Wittels, 'Parks and Rec' Producer, Dead at 30 After Apparent Overdose
Harris Wittels, a comedian and executive producer on NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation," has died. He was 30.
Wittels was reportedly found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home on Thursday around 1 p.m., and pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The suspected cause of death is a drug overdose, with TMZ reporting that drug paraphernalia was found in Wittels's home.
Known for his writing on television series including "The Sarah Silverman Program" and "Eastbound & Down," Wittels was also an actor and producer on "Parks and Rec," playing an animal control employee with a penchant for pot. The sitcom is ending its run on NBC next Tuesday after seven seasons.
Tributes poured in for Wittels as news of his death spread, with comedians and actors taking to social media to express their grief. Silverman tweeted, "You should know that Harris was brilliant beyond compare. That his imagination was without limit. That he loved comedy more than anything."
Wittels -- who also popularized the term "Humblebrag," and authored a Twitter account and book of the same name -- was open about his struggles with drug addiction, having reportedly entered rehab twice. He was a prolific and frequent stand-up comedian, performing as recently as the night before his death, where he said that he was currently sober.
The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating Wittels's cause of death.
Photo credit: Getty Images for AFI