James Avery, 'Fresh Prince' father figure, dies at 65 James Avery, who portrayed the commanding yet cuddly father figure on the hit 1990s sit-com “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” died at a Glendale hospital Tuesday night. Due to complications from open heart surgery performed in November, according to his manager. He was 65, according to public records. A classically trained actor and poet, Avery grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was raised by a single mother. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and first appeared onscreen as a dancer in an uncredited role in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers." Avery appeared in multiple TV shows and movies, including "CSI," "That '70s Show," "The Closer" and several appearances as a judge on "L.A. Law." His voice roles included Shredder in the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series and James "Rhodey" Rhodes in the 1990s animated series version of "Iron Man." But his most famous role was on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which aired from 1990 to 1996. "You can either be a movie star or an actor. I'm an actor," Avery said. "(But) I've done pretty good." He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbara Avery; his mother, Florence Avery of Atlantic City; and a stepson, Kevin Waters. James Avery "Uncle Phil", you will be greatly missed. Source: LA Times, Lisa Respers France, CNN
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