Link (http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/01/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/james-avery-obit/)

(CNN) -- Actor James Avery, who played the beloved Uncle Phil on the hit 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," died Tuesday, his publicist confirmed. He was 65.

His "Fresh Prince" co-star Alfonso Ribeiro tweeted news of Avery's passing.

"I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away," Riberio tweeted. "He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.

A classically trained actor and poet, Avery grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was raised by a single mother. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and first appeared onscreen as a dancer in an uncredited role in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers."
Photos: People we lost in 2013 Photos: People we lost in 2013

According to IMDb, after he served in the military, Avery moved to San Diego, California, where he began writing TV scripts and poetry for PBS.

"I knew I loved the arts," Avery said in an interview for the show "Unscripted." "I knew I wanted to be a writer, but the theater was something I had been involved in before."

Avery appeared in multiple TV shows and movies including as the voice of Shredder in the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." But his most famous role was as Phillip Banks, the stern but loving uncle to Will Smith's character on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

It seems so surreal. He was very much one of a kind. He will always be missed!

I cannot believe that the New Year starts off this sad piece of news. RIP James Avery you gave us laughter.

James Avery is not only best known as the voice of Shredder on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but he has also did the voice of Junkyard Dog on Hulk Hogan's Rock 'N' Wrestling for CBS Saturday Morning as well as other TV Cartoons

He also played the Judge on the sitcom Reba as well as the Lawyer on Judging Amy and he even appeared on the TNBC Saturday Morning Series One World and after Fresh Prince, he also played the role of Alonzo Sparks on the upn sitcom Sparks

But he will always be known to fans as Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

God Bless You James Avery, R.I.P. Uncle Phil

He died yesterday? OMG! This is unbelievable.

He died yesterday? OMG! This is unbelievable.

I said the exact same thing. I saw someone I'm sub to on youtube just made a vid about it. I'm shocked that he died yesterday and no one knew.

So sad. One of the great tv dads of all time. :(

Is this a joke? :confused:

I wonder what happened? I thought he would be the guy who would live until over 100 :(

Is this a joke? :confused:

I wonder what happened? I thought he would be the guy who would live until over 100 :(

It's no joke, he died after having heart surgery. :(


http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-star-james-avery-dies-at-65-1201018997/

James Avery, the bulky character actor who laid down the law as the Honorable Philip Banks in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” has died.

Avery’s publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told the Associated Press that Avery died Tuesday. The Associated Press reported that he was 65, while TMZ, which said he died in a Glendale, Calif. hospital after heart surgery, said he was 68.

Alfonso Ribeiro who played his son on “Fresh Prince,” remembered him on Twitter.

Avery played Will Smith’s uncle on the popular TV series. His movie credits included “Fletch” and “8 Million Ways to Die.” He appeared on dozens of TV shows including “Hill St. Blues,” “L.A. Law,” “The Division,” “Soul Food,” “That ’70s Show” and “The Closer.”

Born in Atlantic City, N.J., he served in Vietnam and began writing TV scripts and poetry for PBS. He graduated with a drama degree from U.C. San Diego. In addition to extensive work as a voiceover actor on productions such as “The Wild Thornberrys” and “Prince of Egypt,” he hosted the PBS travel show “Going Places.”

Not the news I wanted to hear on the 1st day of the new year

RIP James Avery

So sad. :(

James Avery was hilarious as Uncle Phil. Him and Geoffrey were my favorite characters on Fresh Prince.

I had no clue that he was a Nam veteran. I feel so bad for his wife. A very long marriage and then she loses her husband when he really wasn't that old. (68 isn't that old in this day and age). She should have had alot more happy years left with him. Now, she has to start off the new year this way. Terrible. My prayers are with her and the rest of his family (his mom and stepson)

:rip: so sad

He was my favorite character on "TFPOB-A" but I loved him even more as the voice of Shredder on "TMNT".

:(

May He Rest In Peace

:(

This was a total shock to hear. :(

:rip: James Avery

At least he was better than these two past actors, Dolph Sweet and Vic Tayback.

R.I.P. James Avery!

Link (http://thegrio.com/2014/01/02/original-aunt-viv-janet-hubert-speaks-out-about-james-avery-death/#s:the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air)

Janet Hubert, who will forever be remembered as playing the TV matriarch Aunt Vivian on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is speaking out about the death of her co-star James Avery.

Yesterday news broke that Avery died Tuesday in Glendale, Calif., following complications from open heart surgery.

Hubert who played Avery’s on-screen wife for three seasons was shocked to hear of his death.

The actress/producer expressed her condolences to Avery and his family in a statement to theGrio:

“I am home healing and was shocked to hear of James’s passing,” she says. “I think this incredible clip says it best.”


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“Acting with James was like a great doubles match! He was one of the best actors I have worked with in my many years. He was like a big strong boulder, that could either crush you or shield you. He was first and foremost an actor, classically trained, climbed that ladder step by step, role by role, to become one of the most powerful TV dads that had ever been created. My heart goes out to Barbara his real wife and family and I ask that you respect her place, as his real wife with regards to her husband with request for statements from me who simply but proudly played his TV wife Vivian Banks. RIP James, all the world is a stage, and we are all merely players in this production called LIFE.”

Avery is survived by his wife Barbara, and stepson Kevin Waters.

Will Smith Mourns James Avery: "Every Young Man Needs an Uncle Phil"
Jan 6, 2014
by Robyn Ross


Will Smith has opened up about the loss of his "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" co-star James Avery.

"Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery," Smith wrote in a Facebook post Sunday of his on-screen Uncle Phil. "Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace," he added, along with a photo with Avery from the last time they were together.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Will-Smith-James-Avery-1075273.aspx

At least he was better than these two past actors, Dolph Sweet and Vic Tayback.

R.I.P. James Avery!

All three were great actors. May God bless and comfort all of their families during their sad moments of remembrance.:(

18 Reasons Why Uncle Phil Was The Greatest Ever TV Father (http://whatculture.com/tv/18-reasons-uncle-phil-greatest-ever-tv-father.php)

All three were great actors. May God bless and comfort all of their families during their sad moments of remembrance.:(
I agree. I was a fan of all of them.

But there is one remaining rough actor alive and retired from acting as a rich man left, who is it?

He was a wonderful actor and I loved Uncle Phil. He made him the way we remember Patriarchs. RIP! I remember that scene where Will breaks down after he dead beat father walks out on him again.