Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
James Avery, uncle from 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air,' has died
Actor James Avery arrives at the Palm Pre Launch Event to Benefit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America held at Raleigh Studios on June 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Avery died on Dec. 31 in L.A. County, according to a spokesperson for his agency.
(
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
)
James Avery, the actor perhaps best known for his role as Will Smith's fictional uncle Philip Banks in the NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," has died. He was 68.
Avery passed away Tuesday night in Los Angeles County from complications from open heart surgery, said Toni Benson, a spokesperson for his agency, Third Hill Entertainment, in a statement.
Avery was born James La Rue Avery in Virginia and he was raised in Atlantic City, N.J. He was a classically trained actor and scholar who joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969.
After being discharged from the military, Avery settled in San Diego, where he wrote poetry and television scripts for PBS, according to Benson. He received his B.A. in drama and literature from UC San Diego and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Virginia State University.
Support for LAist comes from
He is survived by his mother, his step-son and his wife of 26 years, Barbara.
This story has been updated.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that James Avery was 67, but his agent said he was 68 according to his passport. The text has been updated accordingly.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Heavy rain is expected to fall in the L.A. area between tonight and Thursday. So take your poncho if you're headed to Dodger Stadium. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist