James Avery, most known for his role as the lovable but stressed patriarch/attorney Philip Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, has died at the age of 65.
According to TMZ, Avery had been hospitalized Tuesday night to undergo emergency surgery for an undisclosed illness.
Alfonso Riberio, who played his TV son Carlton, was the first of his former co-stars to offer condolensces via social media.
Running from 1990-1996, Avery appeared all in 141 of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s 148 episodes. Will Smith would use the Emmy-nominated show to launch a blockbuster film career in the late 90s.
Starting his career in 1980, Avery was active throughout the decade appearing in the films Fletch, 8 Million Ways to Die, Nightflyers and License to Drive. From the 90s through present days, he’s appeared or has been credited voice roles in The Brady Bunch Movie, The Prince of Egypt and Dr. Dolittle 2. His most recent film, Valediction, was completed in 2012 and is currently in post-production.
Avery also remained active on the TV circuit, making his last appearance of the soap opera The Young and the Restless in 2012. His other credits include Grey’s Anatomy, Soul Food, Hill Street Blues, and The Dukes of Hazzard.
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