Harris was born on the Caribbean island of Grenada and partially educated in Barbados, the land of his father. George left the Caribbean at the age of 15 to make United Kingdom his home and has lived in Sweden and Israel. He performed all over Europe and the United States with his band before he became a well-known dramatic actor.

Harris is not only a film actor but has starred in many theatre productions at the National Theatre, The Royal Court Theatre and many West End and regional theatres like the Royal Exchange in Manchester, Theatre Royal Bath and many others in his long and distinguished acting career that has seen him in musicals like Hair, performing in Hebrew in the Israel production; Jesus Christ Superstar the original London cast; and other venues like Lincoln Center in New York City, where he was directed by Harold Pinter. He has many credits as leading actor in many BBC and independent television and even American television productions.

He has been acknowledged by the BBC Black Legends to be one of the inspirations to many present day performers.

• The Sweeney, 'Pay Off' as Zak Franklyn, (1976)
• Flash Gordon, as Prince Thun of Ardentia (1980)
• The Dogs of War as Colonel Bobi (1981)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark as Katanga (1981)
• Prime Suspect 2 as Vernon Allen (1992)
• The Bill, 'Walking The Line' as Mr Price (1999)
• Black Hawk Down as Osman Atto (2001)
• Casualty as Clive King (1986) and Neville Newton (2004)
• Layer Cake as Morty (2004)
• The Interpreter as Kuman-Kuman (2005)
• 55 Degrees North as Errol Cole (2004 and 2005)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as Kingsley Shacklebolt (2007)