This is sad news. Actor James Avery, who played Uncle Phil on the 1990s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” died Tuesday, his publicist confirmed. He was 68.
The cause of death was complications from open-heart surgery, said his manager, Toni Benson. James had surgery on November 11 and died Tuesday evening at a hospital in Glendale, California, according to Benson.
“Fresh Prince” co-star Alfonso Ribeiro tweeted news of Avery’s passing.
“I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away,” Riberio wrote. “He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.
Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of “Fresh Price” star Will Smith, posted the couple’s condolences Wednesday on her verified Facebook page.
“Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), Miss Barbara (his wife) and all those who loved him,” Pinkett Smith wrote.
James starred in dozens of TV shows through the years including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Closer,” “L.A. Law,” and “The Jeffersons.” This past year, he appeared in three TV movies — most recently, “Go, Bolivia, Go!”
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