Television's Beloved Uncle Phil from 'Fresh Prince Of Bel Air' Passes Away, Fans And Co-Stars Remember
James Avery, who is best known as Uncle Phil from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," bid farewell. He was 65 and has recently died due to complications from open heart surgery. Every since the news of his demise broke off, his co-stars and fans have flooded the social media to pay tribute to the favorite dad on television.
According to Heavy.com, Barbara, Avery's wife, could not bid a final goodbye to her beloved husband. She sat at his bedside all through his illness, but only left for a moment to fetch something to eat. When she returned, she found her husband dead. CNN remembered Avery in its tribute and called him a talented poet and actor.
"A classically trained actor and poet, Avery grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was raised by a single mother. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and first appeared onscreen as a dancer in an uncredited role in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers," CNN reported about Avery.
Fans of the show were overwhelmed with emotion and paying tribute to their favorite Uncle Phil in Twitter. The term "Uncle Phil" is trending very high on Twitter. #freshprince is also trending.
"I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly," Fresh Prince of Bel Air Co-star Alfonfo Ribeiro wrote in Twitter.
Ribeiro played Carlton Banks, son of Avery, in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." The actor also posted a very sentimental message about his on-screen dad in Facebook using his picture.
"The world has lost a truly special man. I am very saddened to say that James Avery has passed. Even though he played my father on TV, he was a wonderful father figure to me in life. He will be deeply missed," Ribeiro wrote in Facebook.
"Rest in Peace James Avery. Love you. One of the best actors of our time," Miguel Nunez Jr wrote in Twitter.
"R.I.P James Avery thank you for my childhood and being a positive role model to young kids," a fan named Lady Lime wrote.
Though Avery is remembered the most by his onscreen character of Uncle Phil, not many are aware that he was also the voice behind "Shredder" from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
"R.I.P James Avery beloved as Uncle Phil and let's not forget he was the voice of Shredder," another fan named limber of the actor wrote.