Actor James Avery died on Tuesday at a hospital in Glendale, Calif., following complications from open heart surgery. He was 68.
He was best know for his role as judge and attorney Philip Banks on the 90’s sitcom ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ a popular show that also featured his television son Alfonso Riberiro and nephew Will Smith.
Riberiro tweeted his condolences, “I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.”
After the show ended, Avery appeared in a number of popular television series episodes: ‘The Jamie Foxx Show,’ ‘The Division,’ ‘That ’70s Show,’ ‘The Closer’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ He also did voice over work as Shredder in the animated TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
According to pulicist Cynthia Snyder, Avery’s final film, ‘Wish I was Here,’ directed by Zach Braff, is due to premiere later this month at the Sundance film festival.
The actor was born in Virginia but raised in Atlantic City, N.J. He joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served in Vietnam in 1968-1969. After his military service hitch was completed, he studied drama and literature at the University of California San Diego.
He is survived by his mother, his wife and a stepson.
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