James Avery has died at the age of 65.
According to ABC News, the actor's publicist Cynthia Snyder confirmed that the actor died at an L.A. hospital on Tuesday. Avery, was best known for playing Will Smith's no-nonsense rich uncle on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".
The actor reportedly died from complications of open heart surgery, he underwent for an undisclosed illness.His wife, Barbara Avery, was reportedly at the hospital at the time of his death.
"I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away," Alfonso Ribeiro, who played preppy son Carlton, tweeted Wednesday. "He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly."
Born James La Rue Avery in Virginia, the sitcom actor was raised in Atlantic City and after high school joined the Navy to serve in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969 .
Avery has written TV scripts for PBS, including the Emmy Award-winning production, "Ameda Speaks: Poet James Avery". He was currently on the Zach Braff's indie film "Wish I Was Here up until September". It will premiere at the Sundance film festival.
Avery starred in "Fresh Prince" from 1990 to 1996, as Uncle Philip Banks, a lawyer and married father of three, who takes in his sister in law's son, to keep him from getting into trouble in urban Philadelphia.
Avery has also appeared in over a dozen roles including appearances on "The Closer," "That '70s Show" and "Grey's Anatomy".
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, step-son Kevin Waters; and his mother, Florence Avery.
