Harris Wittels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harris Wittels |
|
|---|---|
Wittels in Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy
|
|
| Birth name | Harris Lee Wittels |
| Born | April 20, 1984 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | February 19, 2015 (aged 30) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up, television, film, music |
| Years active | 2007–2015 |
| Relative(s) | Stephanie Wittels (sister) |
Harris Lee Wittels (April 20, 1984 – February 19, 2015) was a talented American comedian and writer. He was known for his work on popular TV shows like The Sarah Silverman Program and Parks and Recreation. He also appeared often on the podcast Comedy Bang! Bang!.
Wittels is famous for creating the word "humblebrag" in 2010. This word describes when someone brags about themselves but tries to make it sound like they are being modest.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Harris Wittels was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in the United States. His parents were Ellison and Maureen Wittels. He grew up in Houston, Texas, and was raised in the Jewish faith.
His older sister is Stephanie Wittels, who is a writer and voice actress. Harris often said his father was "the funniest dude alive."
Wittels went to the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. In 2006, he graduated from Emerson College. He earned a degree in television and video production.
Comedy Career Highlights
After performing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, Harris Wittels met comedian Sarah Silverman. He joined her team as a writer for The Sarah Silverman Program in 2007. He also wrote for the MTV Movie Awards in 2007 and 2008.
When The Sarah Silverman Program ended in 2010, Wittels became a writer for Parks and Recreation. He started as a staff writer and later became an executive producer. He helped write episodes like "Media Blitz" and "94 Meetings". He also appeared on the show as Harris, a funny animal control employee.
Podcast Appearances and Music
Wittels was a regular guest on the Earwolf podcast Comedy Bang! Bang!. He was known for his segment "Harris' Foam Corner." In this part of the show, he would read jokes from his phone that he thought weren't good enough for his stand-up act.
He also hosted the Analyze Phish podcast. On this show, he tried to convince his friends to enjoy the band Phish. Wittels was also a drummer and singer in the band Don't Stop or We'll Die. His bandmates were comedians Paul Rust and Michael Cassady.
The "Humblebrag" Phenomenon
In 2010, Harris Wittels created the word "humblebrag" on Twitter. He wrote articles for Grantland about famous "humblebrags." This is when someone boasts about something good in their life but tries to make it sound like they are complaining or being modest.
The idea became very popular. It even led to a book called Humblebrag: The Art of False Modesty, published in 2012. The American Dialect Society named "humblebrag" the "most useful" word of 2011.
In 2013, NBC planned a sitcom created by Wittels. It was about a young man who still lived with his parents. His younger brother was a very successful, rich entrepreneur.
Personal Interests
Harris Wittels was a huge fan of the band Phish. His mother said he saw the band perform over 300 times. His contract for The Sarah Silverman Program even allowed him time off to follow the band on tour.
Wittels became a Phish fan in high school. He saw them play in Texas in 1999. He described it as "the most amazing concert experience of my life." He often wore Phish t-shirts when he played the character Harris on Parks and Recreation.
Remembering Harris Wittels
Harris Wittels passed away on February 19, 2015, at his home in Los Angeles.
After the news of his passing, many friends and colleagues shared their sadness. These included Aziz Ansari, Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman, and Scott Aukerman. Aziz Ansari shared a favorite memory of Wittels during an appearance on Conan.
The final episode of Parks and Recreation, called "One Last Ride", aired five days after Wittels' death. It ended with a special message: "We love you, Harris."
Similarly, the comedy special Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden included a tribute. It read, "Dedicated to the Memory of Harris Wittels." The show Master of None, which Wittels helped write, also dedicated its first season to him.
Harris's Legacy
Harris's sister, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, used money her brother left her to create a special place in Houston. It's called The Rec Room. This space is a theater and bar for creative people. It opened in June 2016 and offers a place for artists to perform and connect.
