Leon Harris Height, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography

Bio/Wiki
Profession(s)	• Journalist • News Presenter
Physical Stats
Height (approx.)	5' 8" (173 cm)
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Career
Awards	• Local Emmy Award for Best Anchor (2006) • National Cable Ace Award for Best Anchor (won twice)
Personal Life
Date of Birth	20 April 1961 (Thursday)
Age (as of 2024)	63 Years
Birthplace	Akron, Ohio, USA
Zodiac sign	Aries
Nationality	American
Hometown	Akron
School	John R. Buchtel High School (now John R. Buchtel Community Learning Center), Akron (1979)
College/University	Ohio University
Educational Qualification(s)	• A bachelor's degree with major in Communications (cum laude) from Ohio University (1983) • PhD from Ohio University (1999)
Controversies	Driving Under Influence: In 2013, Leon Harris stirred controversy when he was charged with driving under the influence in Montgomery County, Maryland, after being pulled over on I-270. He admitted to the offence and served six months of probabtion, which ended in September 2014. [1]WTOP Arrest for Car Crash: On 29 January 2022, Leon Harris was arrested after rear-ending another car on Bradley Boulevard near River Road in Montgomery County. Police reported that Harris attempted to leave the scene but was stopped. He failed the sobriety test as his blood alcohol concentration was found to be twice the legal limit of 0.8%. Harris was later charged with six minor offences, including driving under the influence, attempting to escape from the police, and leaving the scene of an accident. He also got three traffic tickets. Harris was later taken off the air during the investigation into the case; he returned to the show mid-March 2022. In June 2022, he was sentenced to one year in jail, three years of supervised probation, and was ordered to install an interlock device in his vehicle. [2]WTOP
Social Media	Twitter
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Family
Wife/Spouse	Dawn Harris (nurse)
Children	Son- Darren Daughter- Lauren (early childhood educator)
Parents	Father- Leon Sr. Step-Father- David Maddox Mother- Lorrene Harris
Siblings	Brother(s)- 3 • Marcus • Jerry • James Sister- 1 • Kimberly

Some Lesser Known Facts About Leon Harris

• Leon Harris grew up in Akron, Ohio.

• In the early 1980s, he joined CNN Center, the international headquarters, as an unpaid intern in Atlanta while pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Ohio University.

• After graduating in 1983, he began working as a video journalist. He was then promoted to the position of assistant director in the satellite department, where he managed operations and coordination.

• While working as an assistant director, Leon handled and negotiated satellite services for news coverage of significant events, such as the Persian Gulf War and the international trips and summits of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

• In the summer of 1991, Harris auditioned for the position of an anchor at CNN. He was offered a full-time role a few months later.
  

  Leon Harris during his early days as an anchor at CNN

• During his time at CNN, Harris won several awards, including multiple Local Emmy Awards, for his coverage of major events such as the 2000 presidential elections, the Oklahoma City Bombing, and the 9/11 Attacks.

• Over time, Harris became uncomfortable as competition from Fox News grew and CNN replaced familiar faces like Natalie Allen and Lou Waters with Paula Zahn and Aaron Brown.

• Leon Harris worked at CNN for about 21 years until mid-2003. His last role at the channel was co-anchoring the show CNN Live Today alongside Daryn Kagan.
  

  Leon Harris and Daryn Kagan

• In July 2003, Harris joined WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., as an anchor for their 5 pm and 11 pm newscasts;  he started the position on 28 October.
  

  Leon Harris and Maureen Bunyan while anchoring a show

• On 1 August 2013, Leon experienced intense stomach pain, which was later diagnosed as necrotizing pancreatitis, a condition causing organ failure. His wife rushed him to the hospital, where his kidneys shut down, and he was placed on a ventilator. He later required life-flight to Johns Hopkins Hospital.

• After multiple near-death experiences, including heart failure and difficulty breathing, Harris recovered by 10 August 2013 and returned to work at WJLA-TV on 9 September 2013.
  

  Leon Harris and Maureen Bunyan while anchoring a show

• On 2 September 2016, WJLA-TV decided not to renew Harris’ contract, which led to the end of his tenure in October of that year.

• In April 2017, Leon Harris became a member of NBC’s WRC-TV news team, where he began co-anchoring News 4 at 4 with Eun Yang and reporting for News 4 at 11.
  

  Leon Harris on his first day anchoring News 4 at 4 for NBC

• On 28 November 2024, Leon Harris experienced difficulty with his speech while anchoring News 4 at 6. In December 2024, NBC4 Washington made an official announcement that Harris would take a medical leave to address health concerns.
  

  Leon Harris’ colleagues bidding him farewell