James Avery, Uncle Phil From ‘Fresh Prince Of Bel Air,’ Dead At 65

James Avery, the actor best known for playing Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, died Tuesday night following complications from heart surgery.

James Avery Dies

Avery, 65, underwent heart surgery recently for an undisclosed illness and passed away late New Year’s Eve in Glendale, Calif.

Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Avery’s son on Fresh Prince from 1990-1996, confirmed his death on his Twitter and shared a photo of Avery and his wife, Barbara.

Avery’s wife was at the hospital at the time of his death, but was reportedly out of his room when he passed away.

James Avery TV, Movies

Though he is arguably best know for Fresh Prince, Avery has acted in a number of television programs. Avery appeared on That 70’s Show, Grey’s Anatomy, The Jeffersons, That’s So Raven​, Star Trek: Enterprise and The Young And The Restless. Additionally, Avery, an accomplished vocal actor, voiced characters for The Wild Thornberrys, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pepper Ann and The Proud Family.

In 2011 Avery reunited with his onscreen Fresh Prince family, including Will Smith, Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell and Karyn Parsons.

Avery appeared in the films The Blues Brothers, The Brady Bunch Movie and Dancing In September. He appears in the upcoming Zach Braff film Wish I Was Here.

James Avery Background

Avery was born November 27, 1948 in Atlantic City, N.J. He served in the Vietnam War from 1968-1969 in the U.S. Navy. Before appearing on TV, Avery wrote poetry and television scripts for PBS, including Ameda Speaks: Poet James Avery. He married Barbara in 1988.

Avery is survived by Barbara, stepson Kevin Waters and mother Florence. His publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said that a memorial service is being planned.

Check out an emotional, reportedly unscripted, scene Avery and Smith shared on Fresh Prince below.

—Ava Butler