James LaRue Avery, to give him a full name, was born on November 27, 1945 in Pughsville, Virginia and died on December 31, 2013 (being 68 years old) in Glendale, California, United States of America. James Avery was active in the entertainment industry from 1980 to 2013. During his long career he landed many significant roles, among which was the character of Judge Philip Banks in the television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990 – 1996), the role of Alonzo Sparks in the series “Sparks” (1996 – 1998) and many others. As well as these roles on television, James also acted in films on the big screen, creating a number of roles and performing voice-overs too.
James Avery Net Worth $3 Million
So just how rich was James Avery? Sources estimate that James’ net worth is as much as $3 million, the main source of his wealth coming from his acting career.
James Avery actually grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States of America. When he graduated from high school, he became a member of United States Navy and served from 1968 to 1969 during the Vietnam War. Afterwards, he settled in San Diego, California and started to write TV scripts as well as poetry. In 1980 he debuted on the big screen, taking an uncredited role in the film “The Blues Brothers” directed by John Landis. He has also starred in the main cast of the films “Nightflyers” (1987) directed Robert Collector, “Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time” (1991) directed by Sylvio Tabet and various supporting roles in other films like “The Brady Bunch Movie” (1995) directed by Betty Thomas, “Dr. Doolittle 2” (2001) directed by Steve Carr, and “Valediction” (2012) directed and written by Dustin Kahia. The last role James Avery landed was in the comedy drama film entitled “Wish I Was Here” which was released after the actor’s death in 2014.
From 1983, James Avery was active in television productions too, appearing episodically in a number of television series as well as playing parts in television films. The role which was the most significant to his career was landed in the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990 – 1996) created by Andy and Susan Borowitz. 148 episodes were aired during six seasons, and the series won ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards in 1994. Avery also voiced Shredder in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1987 – 1993), James Rhodes in the series of “Iron Man” (1994 − 1995) and other animated characters. The last role on television that Avery landed was in the film “Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer” (2013). James also voiced video games, including “Splash Mountain” (1989), “Animated Storybook: The Lion King” (1995) and “Kinect Disneyland Adventures” (2011). James was working until his death, which occurred during open heart surgery when he was just 68 years old.
In 1988 James Avery married Barbara Avery; they were married until the death of James. The couple had no children together, however James became stepfather to his wife’s son, Kevin Waters.
The Prince of Egypt, License to Drive, Raise Your Voice, Dr. Dolittle 2, Fletch, Who's Your Caddy?, The Brady Bunch Movie, Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time, A Friend to Die For, Fist of the North Star, Little Miss Millions, Timestalkers, You Lucky Dog, Spirit Lost, The Third Wish, Lethal Ev...
TV Shows
Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, Rambo: The Force of Freedom, The Legend of Prince Valiant, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys, Sparks, Sherri, Going Bananas
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Trademark
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Best known for his roles as Uncle Phil on _"Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990)_ and Shredder on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)
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Towering height and broad frame
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Deep, booming voice
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Beard
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Often plays characters in legal or high-level professional fields
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Quote
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I don't understand this whole Twitter, Facebook stuff. I don't get it. Make a phone call. Talk to somebody.
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Writing is such a singular and lonely occupation. And it's interesting; all of the work that you create is so singular.
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I wanted to leave home, and I didn't know where I was going or what I was going to do or what would happen. That's youth, though. Being fixated on things. I was fixated on being a writer.
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Monetary success is not success. Career success is not success. Life, someone that loves you, giving to others, doing something that makes you feel complete and full. That is success. And it isn't dependent on anyone else.
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You are only an actor if you absolutely love it and can not do anything else. Starving for your art is great in your 20s, but it's not so great at 35. It has to be absolute love. You can't worry about being a movie star or anything else. Just love. That's it.
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Fact
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He was survived by his mother Florence Avery.
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Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean nearly Los Angeles area.
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He died from complications of open heart surgery in Glendale Adventist Medical Center, on the evening of December 31, 2013. He had undergone surgery on November 11, 2013. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean off Los Angeles, CA and in the Atlantic Ocean off Atlantic City, NJ.
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Currently starring in a commercial promoting Kaplan University. [January 2009]
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Was considered for the role of Charlie Altamont in The Devil's Rejects (2005).
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Popular voice over actor, he has done voice work for numerous cartoons and advertisements, probably his most famous voice over was that of Shredder for seven years on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987).
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Philip Banks, Avery's character on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), was ranked #34 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
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Hobbies are: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Sailing, and Swimming.