In light of reports that writer-producer Harris Wittels overdosed on Thursday, Hollywood stars and heavyweight comedians have taken to social media to mourn the 30-year-old.
“Such heartbreaking news about Harris Wittels. A really funny guy,” wrote “Late Night” host
Wittels, a co-executive producer on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” was reportedly discovered around noon by an assistant.
Sarah Silverman showed a rare serious side, tweeting her remorse: “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.”
Wittels met Silverman in 2007 and became a writer on her show, “The Sarah Silverman Program,” until 2010. He went on to co-star in her NBC pilot “Susan 313,” but it was not picked up.
“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,” wrote Billy Eichner.
Below are several heartfelt tweets remembering and mourning Wittels:
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.
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
— 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
So sad to hear of the passing of Harris Wittels. Such a talent. Such a loss. #HarrisWittels — Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) February 20, 2015
Harris Wittels wrote my first episode of Eastbound and Down and was a hilarious and fun guy to hang out with. I’m very sad today — Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) February 20, 2015
I liked Harris Wittels. Good guy. Genuinely funny. What a shame. — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 20, 2015
I didn’t know Harris Wittels. But man, does his death bother me. Funny. Smart. Gifted. 30. Damn. — Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) February 20, 2015
RIP and thank you, Harris Wittels. — Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) February 20, 2015
Harris Wittels was smart and truly hilarious. A good dude. Love to his family. — Yassir Lester (@Yassir_Lester) February 20, 2015
Harris Wittels was without a doubt one of the great comedic voices to come around in the last five years and his best was yet to come. RIP — Brian Maxwell Mann (@BrianMaxMann) 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