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James Avery

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James Avery
Avery in 2001
Born
James La Rue Avery

(1945-11-27)November 27, 1945
Suffolk, Virginia, U.S.
DiedDecember 31, 2013(2013-12-31) (aged 68)
Glendale, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1978–2013
Spouse
Barbara Avery
​
(m. 1988)​

James La Rue Avery (November 27, 1945 – December 31, 2013) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Philip Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Judge Michael Conover on L.A. Law, Steve Yeager in The Brady Bunch Movie, and Dr. Crippen on The Closer (2005–2007); and as the voice actor for Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Haroud Hazi Bin in Aladdin.

Early life

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Avery was born on November 27, 1945, in Pughsville, Virginia (present-day Suffolk, Virginia), to mother Florence J. Avery.[1] His father denied paternity and was not listed on his birth certificate. As a teenager, his mother moved him to Atlantic City, New Jersey.[1][2] He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1963.[3] He served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969,[4] and then moved to San Diego, California, where he began to write poetry and TV scripts for PBS.[4] Avery's first acting role was playing God in the play J.B. in 1971 at San Diego Community College.[5]

He won an Emmy for production of "Ameda Speaks: Poet James Avery". He then received a scholarship to UC San Diego, where he attended Thurgood Marshall College (then Third College), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and literature in 1976.[6]

Career

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Avery began his career in the 1980s with appearances in television series such as NBC's Hill Street Blues, Showtime sitcom Brothers as Bubba Dean, Amen, FM and L.A. Law. In the 1990s, he achieved prominence for his role as Philip Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a character that was ranked number 34 in TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time".[7] After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended, he played the lead role of Alonzo Sparks in the UPN comedy series Sparks that lasted for two seasons. Other notable roles in television included Dr. Crippen in The Closer, Charles Haysbert in The Division, and Michael Kelso's commanding officer at the police academy late in the series run of That '70s Show.

Among his most notable voice credits are the voices of Shredder in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series,[8] Br'er Bear in the Walt Disney World version of Splash Mountain and Kinect: Disneyland Adventures and James Rhodes/War Machine in the 1990s Iron Man series. He also lent his powerful bass voice as Junkyard Dog in Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (1985–1986), Turbo in Rambo and the Forces of Freedom (1986), and Haroud Hazi Bin in Aladdin (1994).

In 1997, Avery hosted the travel series "Going Places" on PBS.[4]

Avery was the commencement speaker for his alma mater, UC San Diego's Thurgood Marshall College, in 2007 and again in 2012.[9]

Personal life

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In 1988, Avery married Barbara.[10] Barbara was later dean of student life at Loyola Marymount University.[11] He had no biological children, but was a stepfather to Barbara's son, Kevin Waters.[12]

Death

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On December 31, 2013, Avery died at the age of 68 at Glendale Memorial Medical Center following complications from open heart surgery.[4][13][14][12]

He received tributes from many of the cast members of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air including Janet Hubert,[15] Will Smith,[16] Alfonso Ribeiro,[13] and Joseph Marcell.[13]

Avery's remains were cremated and scattered near the Pacific Ocean.[17] In April 2020, Will Smith reunited with the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on a video conference honoring Avery's best moments on the show.[18][19][20]

AveryFest

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Barbara Avery and actress Daphne Maxwell Reid at the inaugural AveryFest in James Avery's hometown of Suffolk, Virginia

AveryFest is an annual African-American cultural and music festival held every September or October since 2023 in Suffolk, Virginia, near the birthplace of Avery.[21]

Featured at the 2023 festival were Barbara Avery, his TV wife from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, actress Daphne Maxwell Reid, and a special jazz spotlight in memory of Avery, who loved jazz music.[22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1978 Libra Dr. Baker
1980 The Stunt Man Customer at Diner Uncredited
The Blues Brothers Dancer
1985 Fletch Detective #2
Appointment with Fear Connors
Stoogemania Gulch
1986 Fist of the North Star[23] Fang Voice (1991 Streamline Pictures dub)
The Eleventh Commandment Larry
8 Million Ways to Die Deputy
The Ladies Club Joe
Extremities Security Guard
1987 Three for the Road Clarence
Nightflyers Darryl
Deadly Daphne's Revenge Det. Wood
Jake's M.O. Abel Barnes
1988 License to Drive Les' DMV Examiner
1991 Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time Lt. Coberly
Shout Midnight Rider Voice
The Linguini Incident Phil
1993 Little Miss Millions Agent Noah Hollander
1995 The Brady Bunch Movie Steve Yeager
1997 Spirit Lost Dr. Glidden
1998 12 Bucks Slow
The Prince of Egypt[23] Additional Characters Voice
1999 Out in Fifty Cappy
After Romeo
2000 Dancing in September Mr. Warner
2001 Honeybee Larry Dukes
Dr. Dolittle 2 Eldon
Chasing Sunsets Mr. Burken
2004 Raise Your Voice Mr. Gantry
Hair Show Seymour Gold
2005 Lethal Eviction Gus Winter
The Third Wish George
Wheelmen Vice President
A Christmas Wish Saint Short
2006 Restraining Order Judge Sanderson
Think Tank Uncle John
Danika Teddy Johnson
2007 Who's Your Caddy? Caddy Mack
Divine Intervention Rev. Matthews
2008 His Good Will Mr. Cooper Short
Leave with It Dr. Leon
2009 Steppin: The Movie The Chancellor
2010 Let the Game Begin Mark Hanley
Stride George
The Grind Modelo Snipes
2012 Valediction Edward Short
2014 Wish I Was Here Audition actor #2 Final role, posthumous release

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1983 Antony and Cleopatra Mardian Television film
Tales of the Gold Monkey Gabriel Episode: "God Save the Queen"
Newhart Construction Guy Episode: "Heaven Knows Mr. Utley"
The Jeffersons Coleman Episode: "Father Christmas"
1983–1984 Simon & Simon Huey, Roy 2 episodes
1984 Hill Street Blues Tolliver 3 episodes
Legmen No Neck Episode: "I Shall Be Re-Released"
Hardcastle and McCormick Jackson Episode: "Scared Stiff"
Going Bananas Hank
Webster Judge Episode: "Webster Long"
Fist of the North Star Fang Voice; English dub
The Dukes of Hazzard Charlie Episode: "Cool Hands, Luke & Bo"
1984–1985 Brothers Bubba Dean 2 episodes
1985 Street Hawk Councilman Waters Pilot
St. Elsewhere Mental Patient Episode: "Give the Boy a Hand"
Cagney & Lacey Mr. Berwin Episode: "Who Says It's Fair"
Kicks Stanley Television film
Space Jean-Marie CBS miniseries
Scarecrow and Mrs. King Nabuti Episode: "Murder Between Friends"
Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling Junkyard Dog Voice
George Burns Comedy Week Episode: "The Assignment"
The A-Team Quint Episode: "The Heart of Rock n' Roll"
Moonlighting Reuben King Episode: "Twas the Episode Before Christmas"
1986 Karate Kommandos Additional voices
Amazing Stories Chief Hansen Episode: "Hell Toupee"
Rambo and the Forces of Freedom Turbo Voice
Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story Hank Dudney Television film
Condor Cas
Sunday Drive Oliver
1986–1989 The Real Ghostbusters Killerwatt / Judge Voice, 3 episodes
Amen Arnie Samples / Rev. Crawford 5 episodes
1987 Jake's M.O. Abel Barnes Television film
Timestalkers Blacksmith
Jake and the Fatman Lieutenant Episode: "Fatal Attraction"
1987–1989 Valerie Judge N. Keller / Mr. Erdman 2 episodes
1987–1993 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder Voice, 103 episodes
1988 Dallas Judge Fowler Episode: "Malice in Dallas"
Beauty and the Beast Winslow
227 Jo-Jo Episode: "My Aching Back"
Heart and Soul Harlan Sinclair Pilot
1988–1992 L.A. Law Judge Michael Conover 9 episodes
1989 Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal Earl Television film
Roe vs. Wade
FM Quentin Lamoreaux TV series
A Different World The Pin Punisher Episode: "To Have and Have Not"
Turn Back the Clock Physical Therapist Television film
1990 Night Court Judge Hopkins Episode: "Wedding Bell Blues"
Capital News Mr. Fairchild Pilot
To My Daughter Ian Mellon Television film
1990–1996 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Philip Banks Main role; 148 episodes
1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder Voice, television film
The Legend of Prince Valiant Sir Bryant Voice, 9 episodes
1992 Roc Dale Hammers Episode: "The Car Accident from Heaven"
1993 Without Warning: Terror in the Towers Fred Ferby Television film
Family Matters Himself Episode: "Scenes from a Mall"
1993–1994 American Experience Charles Hamilton Houston / Narrator 2 episodes
1994 Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die Chess Player Television film
A Friend to Die For Agent Gilwood
Aladdin Haroud Hazi Bin Voice, 11 episodes
1994–1995 Iron Man[23] Jim Rhodes / War Machine (ep. 1-5), Whirlwind (ep. 1-11), Blacklash (1994-1995) Voice, 7 episodes
1995 ABC Weekend Special Headman Voice, episode: "Jirimpimbira – An African Folk Tale"
Murder One Judge Nathaniel Alexander Episode: "Chapter Five"
1996 Gargoyles The Shaman Voice, episode: "Walkabout"
Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys[23] Gor-illa/Gor Voice, 26 episodes
Spider-Man War Machine Voice, 2 episodes
1996–1998 Sparks Alonzo Sparks 40 episodes
In the House Mediator / Sampson Stanton 2 episodes
1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Father Voice, episode: "The Golden Goose"
Extreme Ghostbusters Danny Voice, episode: "Dry Spell"
1998 The Advanced Guard Fred Television film
You Lucky Dog Calvin Bridges
The Wild Thornberrys[23] Gorilla Voice, episode: "Valley Girls"
1999 Vengeance Unlimited Judge Christopher Washington Episode: "Legalese"
King's Pawn Cecil Pilot
Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? Malcolm Avalon 2 episodes
For Your Love Rev. Hicks Episode: "Mother Load"
Family Law Episode: "Damages"
1999–2000 Pepper Ann Mr. Clapper 3 episodes
2000 Bull Prof. Gilbert Granville Episode: "What the Past Will Bring"
One World William Richard Episode: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Preston Cash Episode: "Unfriendly Skies"
Two Guys and a Girl Judge Episode: "Rescue Me"
2000–2002 Dharma & Greg Walter 2 episodes
2001 Epoch Dr. Solomon Holt Television film
The Jamie Foxx Show Reverend Episode: "Always and Forever"
Strong Medicine Harold Jenkins Episode: "Wednesday Night Fever"
The Legend of Tarzan Chief Keewazi Voice, 3 episodes
The Proud Family Crandall Smythe Voice, episode: "Spelling Bee"
2001–2002 The Nightmare Room R.L. Stine 12 episodes
2001–2003 Soul Food Walter Carter 4 episodes
2002 Philly Dean Mark Clivner Episode: "Here Comes the Judge"
Judging Amy Mr. Ruff Episode: "Damage Control"
Nancy Drew Prof. Shifflin Television film
2002–2003 The Division Charles Haysbert 9 episodes
2003 Reba Judge Samuel Bennett Episode: "The Feud"
Crossing Jordan Dr. Erkhart Episode: "Conspiracy"
Street Smarts Contestant Episode: "May 16, 2003"
All About the Andersons Roscoe Episode: "Flo's Dream"
2003–2004 All of Us Lucas 2 episodes
2004 That '70s Show Officer Kennedy 3 episodes
Charmed Zola Episode: "A Call to Arms"
NYPD Blue Steve Pines Episode: "Great Balls or Ire"
Girlfriends Dr. Couch Episode: "Maybe Baby"
That's So Raven Presto Jones Episode: "Opportunity Shocks"
2005–2007 The Closer Dr. Crippen 11 episodes
2005 My Wife and Kids Prof. Floyd F. Tillman Episode: "Study Buddy"
Star Trek: Enterprise General K'Vagh 2 episodes
Living With Fran Mr. Bryant Episode: "Learning with Fran"
2006 Take 3 Judge Sanderson Episode: "Study Buddy"
2008 Eli Stone Mason Andrews Episode: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
2009 Sherri Redmond 4 episodes
2011 The Problem Solverz Go-Seeki Ninja Master / Ninja Master Head Voice, episode: "Hide and Seek Ninjaz"
2012 Grey's Anatomy Sam Episode: "One Step Too Far"
The Young and the Restless Judge Roy Daley 2 episodes
2013 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film Dr. Beckett Television film
Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer Judge Parsons
Go, Bolivia, Go! Commissioner Morocco
2015 Da Jammies Covington Voice, episode: "Cello"
Posthumous release

Video games/Other

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Splash Mountain Br'er Frog, Br'er Bear Walt Disney World version only
1995 Disney's Animated Storybook: The Lion King[23] Narrator
2006 Biker Mice from Mars Cataclysm / Cat Commando
2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures Br'er Bear

References

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  1. ^ a b Keepnews, Peter (January 1, 2014). "James Avery, 'Fresh Prince' Actor, Dies at 68". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "James Avery, Uncle on "Fresh Prince," Dead at 68". KNBC. January 1, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014.
  3. ^ WEINBERG, DAVID (May 30, 2025). "Extra Points: Local fighter facing big challenge Saturday". ESPN.
  4. ^ a b c d Messer, Lesley (January 1, 2014). "'Fresh Prince' Star James Avery Died at 68". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  5. ^ "James Avery: Star whose role as Uncle Phil in the American sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' won him fans worldwide". The Independent. January 2, 2014.
  6. ^ Griffin, Jade (February 13, 2014). "Memorial Tribute to Late Actor and UC San Diego Alumnus James Avery Set for March 1". University of California, San Diego.
  7. ^ "James Avery Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  8. ^ Parker, Ryan (November 27, 2021). "'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Star James Avery Delighted in Fan Reactions to Him Voicing Shredder on 'TMNT'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. ^ "Tribute to actor James Avery next Saturday". The San Diego Union-Tribune. February 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "James L. Avery :: Celebrating TMC's 40th Anniversary". University of California, San Diego.
  11. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: 1990-1996". People. June 26, 2000. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor James Avery dies". BBC News. January 1, 2014. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c France, Lisa Respers (January 1, 2014). "James Avery, star of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' dies at 68". CNN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2014.
  14. ^ Dillon, Nancy; Eby, Margaret; Rivera, Zayda (January 1, 2014). "James Avery, Fresh Prince of Bel Air star, dies at 65". Daily News. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019.
  15. ^ "James Avery Dead". If You Blinked. January 3, 2014. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017.
  16. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 6, 2014). "Will Smith on James Avery Death: 'Every Young Man Needs an Uncle'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017.
  17. ^ "[Photos] 'Fresh Prince' Cast Reunite To Say Final Goodbyes To James Avery (Uncle Phil) | xoNECOLE". xoNECOLE. March 30, 2017. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017.
  18. ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (April 30, 2020). ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" cast gets emotional watching Uncle Phil's best moments". CNN. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  19. ^ Carras, Christi (May 1, 2020). "Will Smith wipes tears while honoring James Avery during 'Fresh Prince' reunion". Detroitnews.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  20. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin (April 30, 2020). "Will Smith Reunites with Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Cast: 'You Guys Are My Second Family'". People. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  21. ^ "Bennett's Creek Park to hold first 'Averyfest". suffolknewsherald.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  22. ^ "Averyfest celebrates Suffolk-born actor's career, life". Suffolk News-Herald. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d e f "James Avery (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
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