Amy Poehler Remembers Friend and Parks and Recreation Producer Harris Wittels

Amy Poehler remembered her late friend and comedian Harris Wittels during Variety's second annual unite4humanity event on Thursday evening. Wittels, a Parks and Recreation co-executive producer, died Thursday at his Los Angeles home from an apparent drug overdose. He was 30.

"Today, I lost a friend," said Poehler, who was being honored with the Unity Award for her work with Worldwide Orphans and underprivileged children. "I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction. I'm sharing it with you because life and death live so close together, and we walk that fine line every day."

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"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," she continued. "So, I don't really feel like telling any jokes. I'm kind of sad, and it's really great to be here tonight and listen to all of you, and listen to the great work that you do and be reminded why we live in this bizarre planet called 'Hollywood.'"

Wittels wrote 12 episodes of Parks and Recreation, including "Prom," "Road Trip" and this season's "Ron & Jammy." He also had a recurring role on the series as Harris, a member of Pawnee's animal control department.