Historical records matching Harris Wittels
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About Harris Wittels
Harris Wittels was an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. He is best known for having been a writer for The Sarah Silverman Program, a writer and executive producer for Parks and Recreation, and a recurring guest on Comedy Bang! Bang!
On Thursday, February 19th, Harris Lee Wittels—beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, writer, comedian, actor, raconteur, drummer—left us. His indelible and innumerable memories remain and will be kept close to the heart. Harris was born in Oklahoma City and grew up in Houston where he attended the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. As soon as he could legally enter, he started performing standup comedy at Houston's Laff Stop. After high school graduation, he attended Emerson College in Boston, majoring in TV/video, but really dedicating his life to comedy.
After Emerson, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. At age 22, comedian Sarah Silverman hired him as a writer on her show. From there, he went on to write for television shows Eastbound & Down and Parks & Recreation, where he eventually became a co-executive producer. He invented the popular term "humblebrag"—a modern expression of false modesty—and eventually wrote a book on the subject. The word is now in the dictionary. Harris opened for comedians Louis CK and Aziz Ansari, performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre in Los Angeles, and played drums in the band Don't Stop or We'll Die.
Harris became a frequent guest on various podcasts and co-hosted the popular Analyze Phish with Scott Aukerman. Listeners and fans felt a kinship to Harris through his podcasts due to his hilarity, sincerity, and honesty. Never far from Harris was his backpack with laptop. It came with him everywhere. Writing was how he attempted to make sense and make fun of the world. Harris' jokes were some of the funniest that people all over the world have ever heard. He even wrote jokes that were read by President Obama. For Harris' family and friends, the funniest moments in their lives always involved Harris.
Harris was predeceased by grandparents Sidney and Dorothy Wittels of Oklahoma City and Meyer and Frances Davidson of Meridian, Mississippi. Harris is survived by his parents Ellison and Maureen Wittels of Houston; his sister Stephanie, brother-in-law Michael, and niece Iris Wachs of Houston.
A funeral service will be at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005, at 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2015 with a private burial to follow. The family asks that donations be made to the The Harris Wittels Fund at HSPVA Friends, 4119 Montrose Blvd., Suite 210 Houston, Texas 77006 (tinyurl.com/HarrisHSPVA)
Published in Houston Chronicle from Feb. 21 to Feb. 25, 2015
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Harris Wittels's Timeline
| 1984 |
April 20, 1984
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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States
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| 2015 |
February 19, 2015
Age 30
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At home, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States
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Emanu El Memorial Park, Section 7, B12, #4, Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States
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