<P> James LaRue Avery ( November 27 , 1945 -- December 31 , 2013 ) was an American actor and poet . A prolific television actor , he is best remembered for his portrayal of patriarch `` Uncle Phil '' Banks in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air . His voice acting work was mostly in animated series . </P>
<P> James LaRue Avery ( November 27 , 1945 -- December 31 , 2013 ) was an American actor and poet . A prolific television actor , he is best remembered for his portrayal of patriarch `` Uncle Phil '' Banks in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air . His voice acting work was mostly in animated series . </P>
who died off fresh prince of bel air
who died off fresh prince of bel air
James LaRue Avery
James LaRue Avery