A successful American screenwriter of comedies, often remakes, always in collaboration with Herschel Weingrod, Harris and his partner have generally met with commercial approval for their efforts (e.g. "Twins" 1988, "Kindergarten Cop" 1990), though only "Trading Places" (1983) has met with real critical acclaim. The duo also worked on the script for the screen teaming of basketball superstar Michael Jordan and cartoon character Bugs Bunny in "Space Jam" (1996).

Harris is also the author of several novels detailing the exploits of detective Thomas Kyd, one of which was adapted for TV as "Street of Dreams" (1988).