Actor James Avery, known as “Uncle Phil,” passes away

As we ring in the new year, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Avery, the man that many of us 90s babies had come to know and love during our childhood as ‘Uncle Phil’ on the timeless sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

According to TMZ, Avery passed away following complications of an open-heart surgery he had underwent. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Avery’s son Carlton on the sitcom, took to Twitter earlier today to confirm the passing.

“I’m deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me, I will miss him greatly,” tweeted Ribeiro.

Though the character Avery portrayed on Fresh Prince was as strict as a father could get, those of us that grew up watching him on the sitcom will always remember him for this affectionate episode of “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse.”

Rest in peace, James Avery.

– Antionette Latrese (@_ALatrese)