Actor James Avery has died. The actor, who’s best known for playing Will Smith’s Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was 65.
“I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away,” wrote Alfonso Ribeiro, who played his TV son, Carlton.
“He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.”
Actress Tatiana Ali, who played Avery’s daughter on the Fresh Prince, also tweeted about her on-screen dad’s passing, writing, “James was my teacher my protector & the most magnificent actor. We’re feeling his loss very deeply. He’ll always be a part of me.”
Though Will Smith has yet to comment, his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith took to Facebook to pay her respects.
“Happy New Year everyone!,” she wrote,
“I was hoping to start the new year differently but we have lost yet another friend. James Avery who we all lovingly know as Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince has passed.
“Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), Miss Barbara (his wife) and all those who loved him.
“Rest in peace James.”
TMZ reports that the star had recently undergone surgery for an undisclosed illness, and that he passed away in LA.
Image: Maureen Donaldson/Getty Images
