While being honored at an event on Thursday night, Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler paid tribute to executive producer and comedy writer Harris Wittels, calling him a friend.
“Today, I lost a friend,” the former Saturday Night Live star said at Variety’s unite4humanity event, which took place just hours after Wittels died. “I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction.”
While Poehler could have been her usual positive and funny self, she said that she would not tell any jokes as she accepted an award.
“I’m sharing it with you because life and death live so close together, and we walk that fine line everyday,” Poehler said. “When things happen in our lives, we turn to the people that we love…and we lean on people, in a hope that we will ease our pain.”
Poehler was honored with the Unity Award, recognizing her work with Worldwide Orphans.
Wittels was found dead around 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon. The 30-year-old had a history of drug abuse and went to rehab twice.
In addition to Parks, Wittels worked on Eastbound and Down and The Sarah Silverman Program. On Twitter, he coined the phrase “humblebrag.”
Rob Lowe, who starred on Parks, also tweeted about Wittels.
Parks’ series finale airs on NBC on Tuesday.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com