James Avery (Shredder) 1948-2013 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-01-2014, 03:10 PM

Link

(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."

Johnny be good! · 01-01-2014, 03:45 PM

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

douglasjc · 01-01-2014, 05:16 PM

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

simmytbone · 01-01-2014, 05:20 PM

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

ThomasE · 01-01-2014, 05:22 PM

He died yesterday? OMG! This is unbelievable.

Brieannas21 · 01-01-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

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.

Mr. Television · 01-01-2014, 05:42 PM

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

LoveIsOnlySleeping · 01-01-2014, 05:53 PM

Is this a joke?

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

Zoneboy · 01-01-2014, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveIsOnlySleeping

Is this a joke?

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/fres...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.”

TVFactFan · 01-01-2014, 07:21 PM

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

RIP James Avery

Ryan Chamberlain · 01-01-2014, 07:33 PM

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)

robyrob · 01-01-2014, 07:53 PM

so sad

tlc38tlc38 · 01-01-2014, 09:39 PM

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

80s_Fan · 01-02-2014, 12:14 PM

May He Rest In Peace

comedyfreak · 01-02-2014, 12:34 PM

This was a total shock to hear.

01-01-2014, 03:10 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,375	James Avery (Shredder) 1948-2013 Link (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."
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01-01-2014, 03:45 PM	#2
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	It seems so surreal. He was very much one of a kind. He will always be missed!
	__________________ Alex Bogue

01-01-2014, 05:16 PM	#3
douglasjc Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 318	I am Shocked and Saddened I cannot believe that the New Year starts off this sad piece of news. RIP James Avery you gave us laughter.

01-01-2014, 05:20 PM	#4
simmytbone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,513	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
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01-01-2014, 05:22 PM	#5
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	He died yesterday? OMG! This is unbelievable.
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01-01-2014, 05:42 PM	#7
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	So sad. One of the great tv dads of all time.
	__________________ Sonny

01-01-2014, 05:53 PM	#8
LoveIsOnlySleeping Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 08, 2013 Posts: 7	Is this a joke? I wonder what happened? I thought he would be the guy who would live until over 100

01-01-2014, 07:21 PM	#10
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,055	Not the news I wanted to hear on the 1st day of the new year RIP James Avery

01-01-2014, 07:33 PM	#11
Ryan Chamberlain Return Of The Silverburg 2018! Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 10, 2011 Location: Still hiding in Miles Silverburg's closet. Posts: 663	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)
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01-01-2014, 07:53 PM	#12
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,185	so sad
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01-01-2014, 09:39 PM	#13
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	He was my favorite character on "TFPOB-A" but I loved him even more as the voice of Shredder on "TMNT".
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01-02-2014, 12:14 PM	#14
80s_Fan Healthcare_Clerk Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,697	R.I.P. May He Rest In Peace

01-02-2014, 12:34 PM	#15
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	This was a total shock to hear.
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