14 DAY TRIAL // James Avery, the actor who played the beloved Uncle Philip Banks on the popular TV series “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” which skyrocketed Will Smith’s acting career, has died in hospital. He was 68 years old.
News of his passing has been confirmed by Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Avery’s onscreen son on the series, both on his Facebook and Twitter accounts. He describes Avery as a “wonderful father figure” who “will be deeply missed.”
TMZ reports that Avery had been staying at a Glendale, CA hospital after open heart surgery and that his condition had been taking a turn for the worse lately. He passed away on December 31, as his wife Barbara had just stepped out of the room for a short period of time.
“When she came back... she learned he had just died,” TMZ notes.
James Avery’s career had also included appearances on other successful TV shows, such as “Grey’s Anatomy” or “The Closer,” but he never again attained the same level of fame as he did with “Fresh Prince.”
Above is a video with some of Uncle Philip’s funniest scenes. RIP, Mr. Avery.