James arvery popularly known as uncle phil passed away on the 31th  of December 2013 following a surgery. James aged 68,died due to the complications that resulted from an open heart surgery in Glendale, California. Tatyana Ali, who played Avery’s daughter, Ashley, in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, tweeted: “James was my teacher my protector & the most magnificent actor. We’re feeling his loss very deeply. He’ll always be apart of me #JamesAvery.”

James played Philip Banks in the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and appeared in 141 episodes alongside on-screen nephew Will Smith. Married for 26years,he was survived by his wife, Barbara, his mother, Florence Avery, and his step-son, Kevin Waters. he had been working until September 2013 on the Zach Braff film ‘Wish I Was Here’ which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. May his soul rest in peace.