Leon Harris, the NBC4 Washington news anchor who appeared to be struggling to read a teleprompter during a Thanksgiving night broadcast, is now stepping away from his job. NBC4 shared an update on Monday, saying Harris is stepping away from his desk to focus on health issues after he appeared unwell while anchoring the news last week.
“We have an update to share with you about our colleague, Leon Harris,” the statement read on social media. “Last week, Leon appeared unwell while anchoring News4 at 6. Leon will be stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues. We here at NBC4 — and you at home — care deeply about Leon and wish him well. We thank you for your concern,” the network stated. Deadline has reported this “stepping away” as a medical leave of absence.
Leon Harris concerned viewers
Viewers became concerned last week after noticing that Harris was stumbling over his words during the broadcast. As he struggled to focus, the newscast cut to the weather.
“We’ve heard a lot from some of you through phone and email during this newscast,” said NBC4 weatherman Ryan Miller minutes after Harris was taken off the air. “We want to assure you that our colleague, Leon Harris, is fine. The News4 Team appreciates your concern.”
No specific details about Harris’ health issues have been disclosed.
What to know about Leon Harris
He is a veteran and prominent journalist, having won several Emmys and, as Deadline notes, covered many history-making events from the 1992 Los Angeles riots to 9/11. He has had several local news roles and was also once at CNN. He has been at NBC4 since 2017, coming to the station from its competitor, the ABC affiliate WJLA. He was there for over a decade.
As Deadline reported, “In September, Harris briefly stepped away from his role to recover from surgery after breaking his foot during a fall at his home. In 2013, he was diagnosed with necrotizing pancreatitis, a life-threatening complication that led him to be hospitalized for weeks in an intensive care unit. The reporter has also been candid about his alcohol addiction and sobriety journey following two DUI arrests that same year and in 2022, respectively.”
In 2022, after serving 10 days in jail, Harris was let go from his anchor role at NBC4. He was then given his position back a few months later.
The Washington anchor took accountability for his mistake when he told viewers that it was “the stupidest decision he could have possibly made.” Harris said at that time that he was “deeply, deeply regretful and apologetic for that.”
In July 2022, Harris sat down for an interview with his colleague Doreen Gentzler to once again address his struggle with alcohol.
“Yeah, in my condition, I could’ve killed somebody,” Harris said during the interview. “I was actually more impaired than I thought I was.”
Fighting through tears, Harris said one of the worst things about struggling with alcohol is that it destroys his relationship with his wife and other loved ones.
“I know I let so many people down,” he said.
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