Actor portrayed Fresh Prince dad
OBITUARY • Actor James Avery, best known for his portrayal of Philip Banks on the 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, died of complications from open-heart surgery on New Year’s Eve, TMZ reported.
Avery, 65, recently had surgery for an undisclosed illness at a Los Angeles hospital, and his condition deteriorated late Tuesday.
Avery appeared in many TV shows through the years, including Grey’s Anatomy, The Closer, L.A. Law and The Jeffersons. He most recently appeared in the TV movie Go, Bolivia, Go!
Avery starred in Fresh Prince with Will Smith from 1990 to 1996. Avery’s onscreen son on the popular show, Alfonso Ribeiro, tweeted the following Wednesday: “I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.”