James Avery died on December 31 at a hospital in California.
Los Angeles:
James Avery, best known for hisrole as Will Smith's uncle Philip Banks on The Fresh Princeof Bel-Air, has passed away at the age of 68.
According the actor's manager, Toni Benson, Avery died onDecember 31 at a hospital in Glendale, California due tocomplications from open-heart surgery, reported E!Online.
In an interview with New York Daily News, Avery's motherFlorence said that her son's wife Barbara was "practicallyliving" at the hospital when the actor was under treatment.Avery, who was born in Virginia, was raised by his motherin Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The actor's first appearance in big screen was in 1980'smovie The Blues Brothers. The actor also appeared in manyshows such as CSI, That '70s Show, The Closer and LALaw.
He also lent his voice to a number of animated shows andfilms over the years, including TV's Teenage Mutants NinjaTurtles, the 1990s-era Iron Man series and DreamWork's ThePrince of Egypt. His many live-action film credits includeThe Brady Bunch Movie and Dr Dolittle 2.
In September, he took part in the filming of ZachBraff-directed movie Wish I Was Here.
After learning of the sad news, Smith's wife Jada Pinketttook to Facebook to offer condolences.
"Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), MissBarbara (his wife) and all those who loved him."
According the actor's manager, Toni Benson, Avery died onDecember 31 at a hospital in Glendale, California due tocomplications from open-heart surgery, reported E!Online.
In an interview with New York Daily News, Avery's motherFlorence said that her son's wife Barbara was "practicallyliving" at the hospital when the actor was under treatment.Avery, who was born in Virginia, was raised by his motherin Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The actor's first appearance in big screen was in 1980'smovie The Blues Brothers. The actor also appeared in manyshows such as CSI, That '70s Show, The Closer and LALaw.
He also lent his voice to a number of animated shows andfilms over the years, including TV's Teenage Mutants NinjaTurtles, the 1990s-era Iron Man series and DreamWork's ThePrince of Egypt. His many live-action film credits includeThe Brady Bunch Movie and Dr Dolittle 2.
In September, he took part in the filming of ZachBraff-directed movie Wish I Was Here.
After learning of the sad news, Smith's wife Jada Pinketttook to Facebook to offer condolences.
"Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), MissBarbara (his wife) and all those who loved him."
