James Avery Dies At 68

Let’s take a moment of silence as we mourn the loss of Uncle Phil.

James Avery best known as the actor who laid down the law at home and on the job as Philip Banks aka Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has died at aged 68.

His publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told The Associated Press that the actor died on Tuesday in Glendale, California, due to complications from an open heart surgery.

The late actor who stood at over 6 feet tall, played the role as the head of the family and a wealthy attorney and judge on popular TV comedy series that launched Will Smith’s acting career as Philip Banks’ troublemaking nephew.

According to Cynthia, James will be seen in the film Wish I Was Here, directed by Zach Braff which is scheduled to premiere later this month at the Sundance festival.

James who grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, served in the Navy in Vietnam in the late 1960s. He settled in California and studied drama and literature at the University of California at San Diego upon returning to the states.

Other celebrities have remembered James on Facebook and Twitter.

Post by Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rest In Peace James Avery “Philip Banks” “Uncle Phil” from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He took a turn for the worse… http://t.co/uLayzII25H
Rest In Peace James Avery “Philip Banks” “Uncle Phil” from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He took a turn for the worse… http://t.co/uLayzII25H
— Jahméne Douglas (@JahmeneDouglas) January 1, 2014
Sad News: James Avery, Uncle Phil on #TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir, has passed away. #RIPMrAvery http://t.co/4OosSfvJQB — yvette nicole brown (@yvettenbrown) January 1, 2014

RIP James Avery. You gave us some incredible memories. You will be missed greatly… http://t.co/KtKaIGBDDk #UnclePhil — Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) January 1, 2014

James was my teacher my protector & the most magnificent actor. We’re feeling his loss very deeply. He’ll always be apart of me #JamesAvery
— Tatyana Ali (@TatyanaAli) January 1, 2014