Harris Wittels of ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘humblebrag’ dies

Harris Wittels, executive producer and writer on Parks and Recreation, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Thursday of an apparent drug overdose. He was 30. Wittels’ assistant discovered his body, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson stated. Wittels had talked about his battles with addiction and rehab. He famously coined the word “humblebrag” after moving to Los Angeles and noticing the phenomenon of shameless self-promotion that he called “a specific type of bragging which masks the brag in a faux-humble guise.”

You should know that Harris was brilliant beyond compare. That his imagination was without limit. That he loved comedy more than anything.

Comedian Sarah Silverman

In addition to exec producing and writing for Parks and Rec, he appeared on the show in a small role as animal control employee. The show, which has had a seven season run on NBC, is heading into its series finale on Feb. 24. Wittels was a standup comedian, a drummer for the band Don’t Stop or We’ll Die and a writer on the Sarah Silverman Program and The Suits.

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