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| Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor James Avery dies | Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor James Avery dies |
| (5 days later) | |
| The American actor James Avery has died aged 68, his publicist has said. | The American actor James Avery has died aged 68, 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." |
| Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith's actress wife, also paid tribute to the actor, saying they had "lost yet another friend". | Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith's actress wife, also paid tribute to the actor, saying they had "lost yet another friend". |
| "Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), Miss Barbara (his wife) and all those who loved him," she wrote on her Facebook page. "Rest in peace James." | "Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), Miss Barbara (his wife) and all those who loved him," she wrote on her Facebook page. "Rest in peace James." |
| Avery appeared in a number of films and TV shows including Grey'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. | 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. | 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). | 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 stepson, Kevin Waters. | He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbara, his mother, Florence Avery, and his stepson, 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. | 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. | Ms Snyder said plans were being made for a memorial service. |