1. Leon Harris was born on April 20,1961 and is an American journalist and newscaster, most recently with NBC owned-and-operated WRC-TV in Washington, DC Harris formerly anchored at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, and at Washington, DC ABC affiliate WJLA-TV.
Leon Harris received an honorary Doctorate from the university in 1999.
Leon Harris started his career at CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta in the early 1980s as an unpaid intern while completing his degree.
Leon Harris auditioned for an anchor position during summer 1991; a few months later he was given a full-time anchor post.
Leon Harris received numerous awards at CNN, including several Emmy Awards for his coverage of the 2000 presidential election, the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11th attacks.
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, Leon Harris felt less comfortable.
In July 2003, Leon Harris signed a deal with the Washington, DC ABC affiliate WJLA-TV to anchor that station's 5 o'clock and 11 o'clock newscasts.
In 2006, Leon Harris received the 2006 local Emmy award for Best Anchor.
In 2013, Leon Harris was profiled for surviving two brushes with death, due to necrotizing pancreatitis.
In December 2024, NBC4 Washington announced that Leon Harris was taking a medical leave of absence following two nights of broadcast during which he appeared unwell.
Leon Harris will be stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues.
Leon Harris has three brothers: Marcus, Jerry, and James who still reside in Akron; and a sister, Kimberly, who lives in Houston.
Leon Harris's son Darren lives in Seattle, WA while his daughter Lauren is an early childhood educator who lives in Atlanta, GA.
In 2013, Leon Harris was charged with driving under the influence in Montgomery County, Maryland, to which he pleaded guilty.
Leon Harris received probation before judgment and served six months' probation, ending in September 2014.
On January 29,2022, Leon Harris was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a crash in Montgomery County.