By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
The versatile actor played Uncle Phil to Will Smith's Philly newcomer in the beloved show from 1990 to 1996 and worked on a number of TV and film projects up until he fell ill this year.
TMZ reported that the actor died suddenly in an L.A. hospital last night from complications following open heart surgery.
Sad loss: Fresh Prince of Bel Air star James Avery has died aged 65
They added that Avery had recently undergone surgery for an undisclosed illness and took a turn for the worse late yesterday.
They added that hiis wife, Barbara, had briefly left his bedside to get food when he passed away.
Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Avery's on-screen son Carlton on the show, tweeted: 'I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.'
His Fresh Prince character, Philip Banks, was ranked #34 in TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time.
Last appearance: Avery attended the Heroes and Legends Foundation's Awards in Beverly Hills in September
Prolific: James was wheelchair bound at the premiere of The Karate Kid, starring Smith's son Jaden, in 2010
Sadness: Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton in the Fresh Prince, tweeted his grief
He also provided the voice of Shredder in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series, as well as War Machine in the animated series Iron Man and Junkyard Dog in Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling.
Avery also played Michael Kelso's commanding officer at the police academy late in the series run of the popular sitcom That '70s Show.
Avery, who was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, recently filmed Valediction and stared in Grey's Anatomy.
He lived in Longport, New Jersey.
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