James Avery has died at the age of 68. The actor — best known for playing Uncle Philip Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — died at an L.A. hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
According to TMZ, Avery recently underwent a surgery for an undisclosed illness. His wife, Barbara Avery, was at the hospital at the time of his death.
Avery starred in Fresh Prince with Will Smith from 1990 to 1996. Shortly after his passing, his onscreen son, Alfonso Ribeiro, addressed about the loss via Twitter.
"I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly," the 42-year-old wrote, also sharing a picture of Avery with his wife.
Avery went on to appear in several other TV series, including The Jamie Foxx Show, The Division, That '70s Show, The Closer and Grey's Anatomy.
