RIP Uncle Phil: Actor James Avery dies aged 65

The 1990s sitcom star passed away following complications from open heart surgery.

Jan 1st 2014, 9:17 PM 45,647 Views 35 Comments

James Avery as Uncle Phil

Image: Betterfunner

JAMES AVERY, THE bulky character actor best known as Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has died.

Avery’s publicist Cynthia Snyder told The Associated Press that Avery passed away yesterday in Glendale, California, following complications from open heart surgery. He was 65.

Avery played Will Smith’s uncle – the Honorable Philip Banks – on the 1990s sitcom. His movie credits included Fletch, The Prince of Egypt and 8 Million Ways to Die.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ran for six seasons from 1990 to 1996, with a total of 148 episodes. It became a huge TV hit and has enjoyed a cult following ever since.

Here’s Uncle Phil in his prime:

Source: snackopolis

- Additional reporting Michael Freeman

About the author:

About the author

Associated Foreign Press

See more articles by Associated Foreign Press

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (35)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

RIP Uncle Phil: Actor James Avery dies aged 65