Amy Poehler on Death of Parks and Recreation Exec Producer: He Struggled With Addiction

Harris Wittels was found dead in his apartment earlier today

Amy Poehler may have been honored tonight for her work with Worldwide Orphans, but she wasn't smiling like she usually is.

Just hours before she hit the stage at unite4:good's unite4:humunity gala at the Beverly Hilton, Parks and Recreation co-executive producer Harris Wittels was found dead in his apartment.

"Today, I lost a friend," Poehler said, according to Variety. "I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction."

A writer and comedian, Wittels often appeared on IFC's Comedy Bang Bang. While an overdose is suspected, that will still need to be determined officially by the coroner. The finished toxicology report will take six to eight weeks following an autopsy.

He was just 30 years and had reportedly done a recent stint in rehab.

"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."

"So, I don't really feel like telling any jokes," she said. "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,'" she said. "It's very strange."

The final episode of Parks and Recreation airs next week.