'Fresh Prince' actor James Avery dies, aged 68

'Fresh Prince' actor James Avery dies, aged 68

US actor James Avery, most famous as Uncle Phil in hit 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," died on New Year's Eve aged 68, his publicist said. With a deep baritone voice, Avery regularly played judges, professors

His first big-screen role was an uncredited part in 1980s classic "The Blues Brothers," and he enjoyed a prolific TV and movie career stretching over three decades.
But the role most people will remember him for is as Philip Banks on the 1990s NBC series, who played a role model to the young Will Smith's character, a fictionalized rapper version of himself.
"I'm deeply saddened to say James Avery has passed away," his "Fresh Prince" co-star Alfonso Ribeiro tweeted. "He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly."

REST IN PEACE UNCLE PHIL