James Avery (1948-2013)
Actor James Avery has passed away. He was 68. Avery, who is best known for playing Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, died after complications from heart surgery. Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Avery’s son, Carlton, on the 90’s sitcom, announced Avery’s death on Twitter.
[Avery’s] movie credits included “Fletch,” “The Prince of Egypt” and “8 Million Ways to Die.” He also appeared in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “That ’70s Show” “Charmed” and “That’s So Raven.”
According to Snyder, he will be seen in the film “Wish I Was Here,” directed by Zach Braff and scheduled to premiere later this month at the Sundance festival.
Avery grew up in Atlantic City, N.J., and served in the Navy in Vietnam in the late 1960s. After returning to the states, he settled in California and studied drama and literature at the University of California at San Diego.
Our thoughts go out to Avery’s wife, Barbara, and his stepson during this difficult time.