Vale: James Avery

James Avery, best known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has died, aged 68.

He died on Tuesday in California as a result of complications from heart surgery.

Avery played wealthy lawyer Philip Banks, Will Smith’s pompous but well-meaning uncle on the US sitcom, which ran from 1990 to 1996.

Banks, who later became a judge on the series, became a surrogate father to his street-smart nephew.

The classically trained actor also appeared in L.A. Law, The Closer, That ’70s Show, Fletch and 8 Million Ways to Die.

He was also a busy voice artist including credits as the voice of Shredder, on the 1987-96 series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Source: New York Post