James Avery

James Avery was an American actor who passed away at the age of 68 from complications due to open heart surgery. Most know him for playing the father-figure and attorney Philip Banks in the comedy "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" for six years(1990-96). Most don't know however that he also auditioned for the role of Geoffrey the butler. Born 1945 in Pughville, Virginia, he received a scholarship to attend the University of California at San Diego and then entered the Navy soon thereafter. Avery began his career by writing poetry and scripts for PBS after leaving the Navy. In 1985 he did some voice acting for the television show “Hulk Hogan's Rock n Wrestling” and then in 1987 he was the voice of “Shredder” on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” television series. But in 1990, he became a star playing father-figure Philip Banks in the show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” After the show wrapped, he did some more voice acting. Later in his life, in 2004, he joined the cast of “That 70's Show” and rose to popularity o