Makris started a career in the entertainment business, most notably television, in the 1970s. He started out as a production assistant for the 1974 documentary film Italiamerican before moving on to the camera and electrical department, gaining many credits for his work there. Next, Makris became a high-profile cinematographer, who was especially well-known for his work on Law & Order, for which he was the cinematographer for 156 of its episodes. His work on Law & Order led to him winning three cinematography-related Emmy Awards in the years of 1993, 1997, and 1998; he also had a fourth nomination for such an award in 2000, but didn't win.