Uncle Phil (James Avery) Passes away at 68 years of age

[Nitro Vordex]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/01/showbi...es-avery-obit/

Actor James Avery, who played the beloved Uncle Phil on the hit 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," has died, his publicist said Wednesday. He was 68.

The cause of death was complications from open-heart surgery, said his manager, Toni Benson. Avery had surgery on November 11 and died Tuesday evening at a hospital in Glendale, California, according to Benson.

Dang, I'm sad now. I loved him when he played Uncle Phil, and that will always stick with me. I'm really sad to hear he passed.

[CelestialBlade]

Saw this earlier, shitty way to start the year. RIP Uncle Phil, we all loved movin in with our auntie and uncle in Bel-Air.

[Retehi]

I legit cried.

Also Shredder's VA in the original TMNT.

[Polly]

Saw this earlier, shitty way to start the year. RIP Uncle Phil, we all loved movin in with our auntie and uncle in Bel-Air.

TEEEEEECHNICALLY, he died on the 31st, so, at least it's not actually starting the year off on a terrible note.

I'd wager most of us here either grew up watching Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or caught it in endless syndication over the years, and that's probably where most of us know him from (aside from his TMNT run as Shredder.) Great talent with a distinct voice (featured in a lot of VO work), and one of the few actors that could work with Will Smith and not have scenes fall flat. Really a bummer he's gone.

[gigawuts]

Yeah, this feels like an actual loss. He was a pretty great father figure - firm, disciplined, but also compassionate and caring; even at the same time. More than one episode hit fairly close to home largely because of him.

[o0Kais0o]

Damn, I loved that show as a kid and I always thought he was pretty cool as uncle Phil. He did the the of War Machine in the Iron Man cartoon as well I think. This really sucks.

[Atbar]

In honor of James Avery, tonight, I dine on turtle soup with pillowly mounds of mashed potatoes.

[Polly]

In honor of James Avery, tonight, I dine on turtle soup with pillowly mounds of mashed potatoes.

And...tiny onions!