Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's James Avery Dies at Age 65 — Co-Star Mourns "Father"

James Avery, who played Will Smith's Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and voiced Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has died at age 65. (Note: There are conflicting reports about his age; some say 65, others 68.)

According to TMZ, he passed away in a Los Angeles hospital last night — New Year's Eve 2013 — from complications after recent open heart surgery. In an extra sad note, his wife Barbara had reportedly been at his hospital bedside, but stepped away for a moment; when she returned, she learned that he had just died.

 

May his soul RIP.......