James Avery

Biography

James LaRue Avery (November 27, 1945 – December 31, 2013) was an American actor. Best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney (later judge) Philip Banks, Will Smith's character's uncle, in the TVsitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This character was ranked #34 in TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time." 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. He also played Michael Kelso's commanding officer at the police academy late in the series run of That '70s Show.

Known For

Grey's Anatomy

as Sam

The Blues Brothers

as Man Dancing Outside Ray's Shop

The Prince of Egypt

as Additional Voices (voice)

Charmed

as Zola

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

as Philip Banks

Dr. Dolittle 2

as Eldon

That '70s Show

as Officer Kennedy

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

as Preston Cash

Spider-Man

as Jim Rhodes / War Machine (voice)

The A-Team

as Quint