american actor james larue avery was born on november 27 1945 in suffolk virginia he would be
raised solely by his mother in atlantic city new jersey james major passion growing up was sports
and he had planned on attending college on a football scholarship unfortunately he would
flunk out and lose everything after choosing to focus more on the ladies instead of his studies
after returning home and not knowing what else to do james joined the us navy he also participated
in the vietnam war from 1968 to 1969. after leaving the military james would decide to
stay in san diego california where his ship had been stationed he landed a job writing poetry as
well as tv scripts for pbs his talent was apparent and it eventually won him an emmy for production
with the television program distributor then he received a scholarship to the university of
california at san diego where he earned himself a bachelor of arts degree in drama and literature
james acting career ramped up in the 80s with appearances in dozens of television series
such as hill street blues the jeffersons amen and l.a law he also did a fair amount
of voice-over work including a seven-year run as the voice of supervillain shredder
in the animated television series teenage mutant ninja turtles also around this time james would
marry his wife barbara who was the dean of students at occidental college in los angeles
they wouldn't have any children together but james did fill the role of stepfather to barbara's son
james did well in the 80s but the decade to follow would give him the role he would become best known
for and one of america's all-time favorite tv dads in 1990 james began the role of phillip banks
on the hit nbc sitcom the fresh prince of bel air he played the part for the entire six year run
of the show after fresh prince ended james went on to play a variety of roles in many other
television shows including the lead role of alonso sparks in the upn comedy series sparks that lasted
for two seasons as well as in the house dharma and greg soul food that 70s show my wife and kids
and the closer he also became the primary host of the popular pbs travel and adventure series going
places in november 2013 james health would take a serious turn and he would undergo open heart
surgery sadly his recovery wouldn't be successful the following month on december 31st 2013
james passed away in glendale california he was 68 years old his publicist told the associated press
that he died following complications from the november operation his mother reported that his
wife was constantly by his side at the hospital prior to his death and that james also suffered
from diabetes alfonso ribeiro who played james's son carlton on fresh prince posted on his facebook
page the world has lost a truly special man i am very saddened to say that james avery has passed
even though he played my father on tv he was a wonderful father figure to me in life
he will be deeply missed the fresh prince himself will smith also commented on james death saying
some of my greatest lessons in acting living and being a respectable human being came through
james avery every young man needs an uncle phil rest in peace james remains were cremated and
scattered near the pacific and atlantic oceans off of los angeles and atlantic city respectively
in april 2020 will featured a virtual reunion with his fresh prince castmates
on his will from home snapchat series they honored their friend james by watching a highlight reel
of his best moments on the show the timing was perfect since it also happened to be the 30th
anniversary of the hit series seven months later hbo max aired the fresh prince of bel air reunion
this time the entire cast including original aunt viv janet hubert finally came face to face with
one another in the special that featured them chatting on a rebuilt fresh print set
as well as individual interviews and behind the scenes footage once again as the cast looked on in
tears a touching tribute was made to the missing piece of the puzzle the late great james avery
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