This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25572065
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' actor James Avery dies | 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' actor James Avery dies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The American actor James Avery has died aged 65, his publicist has said. | The American actor James Avery has died aged 65, his publicist has said. |
He was best known for his role as Phil Banks in US television series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air with Will Smith. | He was best known for his role as Phil Banks in US television series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air with Will Smith. |
His fellow cast member in the show Alfonso Ribeiro, who played his son Carlton, tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. | His fellow cast member in the show Alfonso Ribeiro, who played his son Carlton, 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." | "He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly." |
The actor appeared in a number of films and TV shows including Gray's Anatomy and Star Trek: Enterprise. | |
He hosted TV programme Going Places, and provided voice-overs in animated TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Iron Man. | |
But he was best known for his portrayal of the judge and patriarch 'Uncle Phil' in 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. | |
He appeared in 141 episodes of the programme alongside his on-screen nephew, Will Smith, and was reunited with most of the cast at a charity event two years ago. | He appeared in 141 episodes of the programme alongside his on-screen nephew, Will Smith, and was reunited with most of the cast at a charity event two years ago. |
Avery's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told The Associated Press that Avery died on Tuesday in Glendale, California, following complications from open-heart surgery. | Avery's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told The Associated Press that Avery died on Tuesday in Glendale, California, following complications from open-heart surgery. |
Avery served in Vietnam in the US Navy from 1968 to 1969, before he began writing TV scripts and poetry for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). | |
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbara, his mother, Florence Avery, and his step-son, Kevin Waters. | |
Avery had been working until September this year on the Zach Braff film Wish I Was Here, which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month. | |
Ms Snyder said plans were being made for a memorial service. |