On New Years Eve, December 31, 2013, we were all shocked to learn that one of television’s beloved dads had passed away. Actor James Avery of hit 1990’s sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” unfortunately died following heart surgery on the eve of a New Year.
Since the news of his passing, some of Avery’s Fresh Prince co-stars including Tatyana Ali and Alfonso Ribeiro expressed their remorse and sorrows but it was the show’s star, Will Smith, who kept quiet.
Although Smith had been in Dubai celebrating his 16th wedding anniversary with wife Jada Pinkett Smith and the birthday of friend and actor Tyrese Gibson at the time of Avery’s death, Smith finally shared his thoughts on his official Facebook account today.
Upon sharing the above image of his Fresh Prince family, actors (from left) Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery and himself, Smith wrote, “Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace.”
He then added, “This photo was the last time we were together.”
May James Avery rest in peace indeed.
