Entertainment
James Avery best known as ‘Uncle Phil’ From Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, dead at 68
James Avery, best known as his role as attorney Phillip Banks on the hit sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air has died. He was 65.
James Avery, best known as his role as attorney Phillip Banks on the hit sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air has died. He was 68.
Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton on the show, said this on his Facebook page:
The world has lost a truly special man. I am very saddened to say that James Avery has passed. Even though he played my father on TV, he was a wonderful father figure to me in life. He will be deeply missed.
Sources close to the actor say he died in an L.A. hospital last night. Avery had recently undergone surgery operation heart surgery and reportedly died from complications of the surgery.
Born in Atlantic City, NJ, where he was raised by a single mother, James Avery was a classically trained actor and poet. 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 also voiced characters for many animated series, most notably for 1987’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and the 1990s “Iron Man” series. But Avery was best known and will most be remembered for playing Phillip Banks, the stern but loving uncle to Will Smith’s character on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!
Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram
Pregnant rapper and nursing student Qualeisha “Siditty” Barnes fatally shot in Atlanta
Kyren Lacy’s parents file wrongful death lawsuit against Louisiana State Police
In Memoriam : Gwendolyn “Blondy” Chisolm, co‑founder of The Sequence, dies at 66
Afrika Bambaataa’s legacy and controversy: Remembering the hip-hop pioneer
GoFundMe launched for family of 7‑month‑old girl killed in Brooklyn shooting
Shaquille O’Neal pays for funeral costs for 12‑year‑old Jada West, Georgia officials say
New Jersey police reach $4 million settlement with children of woman killed by ex-husband, a former police officer
Asbury Park High School: Crossover event esports and history with Tina Watson
Jury awards California woman $15 million after supervisor called her n-word
Jarvis Butts sentenced to up to 60 years for murder of Na’Ziyah Harris and multiple sexual assaults
OWN greenlights first-ever ‘Belle Collective’ spinoff Belle Collective: Birmingham
Hazel Scott’s legacy returns to Harlem in free outdoor film screening
Olympic Gymnast Frederick Richard sets world record, raises $50K for Ugandan youth
Renee Ferguson, trailblazing investigative journalist, dies at 75
“AfroPoP Digital Shorts” returns to the land with “Sweet Samara,” climate and abolitionist film
-
Crime & Justice1 week agoGoFundMe launched for Cleveland deacon recovering after brutal attack outside church
-
Culture2 weeks agoVirgin Islands announces lineup for 74th annual St. Thomas Carnival Village
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks agoKansas City woman shot five times during Uber ride
-
Community1 week agoDallas barber creates sensory‑friendly haircut experiences for neurodivergent children
-
Community7 days agoGoFundMe launched for family of 7‑month‑old girl killed in Brooklyn shooting
-
Social Justice2 weeks agoWashington D.C. Airbnb squatter sues homeowner for $500,000
-
Crime & Justice1 week agoFlorida Vice Mayor found slain at home was sister of Parkland survivor who died by suicide
-
In Memoriam1 week agoDee Freeman, veteran actress known for The Young and the Restless and Sistas, dies at 66
-
Community1 week agoArkansas mother fights for her life as she awaits rare dual organ transplant
-
Culture2 weeks agoOWN to premiere “One Golden Summer”, an award-winning film about a Chicago little league team’s rise and fall