You may not know James Avery by name but he’s certainly recognizable, best known for his role as patriarch Uncle Phil in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. His heavy scowl and demeanor were symbols of integrity and authority from a young age and told everyone who saw them that Uncle Phil had no time or patience for Will and his shenanigans, the Captain Hook to Will Smith’s Peter Pan but more lovable. Sadly Avery passed away yesterday evening in a California hospital due to complications after surgery.
What I didn’t know until years later was that Avery had an impact on me even earlier, voicing the central villain from my all-time favorite cartoon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s one of those facts that once heard, it seems so obvious. Uncle Phil was Shredder.
His geekiness doesn’t end there. Avery had a larger impact on geek culture than I ever knew providing voice talents for “The Real Ghostbusters”, “Iron Man” (animated), and “Gargoyles” to name a few. He also appeared in Star Trek Enterprise.
“I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly,” Alfonso Ribeiro said of the news. Ribeiro played Avery’s son Carlton on “Fresh Prince”.
Avery wrapped his final film “Wish I Was Here” in September, the film will premiere at Sundance later this month. Avery is survived by Barbara, his wife of 26 years. Based on responses I’ve seen so far, I think I speak for all when I say, we wish you were here as well sir.
Join me in saying goodbye to a hero, a villain, a gargoyle, an uncle. Farewell James Avery.