James Avery, the actor most famous for his role as the judge "Uncle Phil" Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, has died, according to reports. He was 65 years old.
Avery's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told the Associated Press that he died in Glendale, California, yesterday following complications from open heart surgery.
Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Banks' son, Carlton, in the show, tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly."
Avery's stern patriarch often clashed with a young Will Smith's cool teenage protagonist in the popular US show from the 1990s.
Avery had a busy and diverse career before, during and after Fresh Prince. His TV credits included Grey's Anatomy, NYPD Blue and Dallas, and among his many films were Fletch, Nightflyers and 8 Million Ways to Die. His voice alone brought him many jobs, notably as Shredder in the animated TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and stepson, Kevin Waters.
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