James Avery Too Soon

Actor James Avery, who played the beloved Uncle Phil on the hit 1990s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” has died, his publicist said Wednesday January 1st 2014. He was 68 years old.

The cause of death was complications from open-heart surgery, said his manager, Toni Benson. Avery had surgery on November 11 and died on Tuesday 12/31/2013 evening at a hospital in Glendale, California, according to Benson.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbara Avery; his mother, Florence Avery of Atlantic City; and a stepson, Kevin Waters.  Our prayers go out to the friends and family of Mr. Avery.