Harris graduated from Buchtel High School in 1979, and earned a National Merit Scholarship to Ohio University, where he met his wife, Dawn Lomax, whose family is also from Akron.

[1] Harris started his career at CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta in the early 1980s as an unpaid intern while completing his degree.

Following graduation in 1983, Harris started as an entry-level video journalist and later moved up to assistant director of the satellite department as an operator and coordinator.

However, as competition increased from Fox News, and CNN veterans such as Natalie Allen and Lou Waters were pink-slipped in favor of Paula Zahn and Aaron Brown, Harris felt less comfortable.

In December 2024, NBC4 Washington announced that Harris was taking a medical leave of absence following a recent broadcast during which he appeared unwell.

Leon will be stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues.” The announcement followed public attention and reports highlighting Harris’s challenges with speech during the November 28 broadcast.