Harris Wittels, comedy writer and executive producer of Parks and Recreation,?was found dead in his home in Los Feliz, California on Thursday with possible signs of a drug overdose. Wittels was?found by his assistant and the medical personnel determined him dead on the scene. Wittels was only 30 years old and had already become a leading writer on multiple shows.
Wittels, 30, was best known?for his work on Parks and Recreation, a series about small town life and government in Pawnee, Indiana. Wittels was a co-executive producer and a writer on the show. Wittels was in a producing role in 77 episodes of the seven season comedy.
Wittels spoke in a podcast about his past struggles with drug addiction last fall. What makes his story more unusual is the fact that Wittels made various acting appearances on the show in which his character also named Harris?was?a drug addicted animal control officer. While we can’t draw a certain conclusion about his past drug addiction and the characters on the show, it should definitely be noted.
In response to his passing, star of the show Amy Poehler said:
“Today, I lost a friend[.] I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction.”
Wittels was also known for his work on many different television shows such as Eastbound and Down, Secret Girlfriend, Human Giant, and many more. Wittels legacy also include multiple nominations for awards from the Online Film & Television Association and the Writers Guild of America for his work on Parks and Recreation and The Sarah Silverman Program.
While Wittels death comes as a surprise especially at the young age of 30, his legacy will also be felt by those that watched and enjoyed Parks and Recreation.
