James Avery of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" fame dead at 68

Updated: 8:40 a.m. ET

James Avery, the bulky character actor who laid down the law as the Honorable Philip Banks in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," has died.

Avery's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told The Associated Press that Avery died Tuesday in Glendale, Calif., following complications from open heart surgery. He was 68, Snyder said.

Avery's "Fresh Prince" co-star Alfonso Ribeiro, who played his son Carlton on the show, took to Twitter following Avery's death: 

Avery played Will Smith's uncle on the popular TV series and was called Uncle Phil. His movie credits included "Fletch," "The Prince of Egypt" and "8 Million Ways to Die." He also appeared in "Grey's Anatomy," "That '70s Show" "Charmed" and "That's So Raven."

According to Snyder, he will be seen in the film "Wish I Was Here," directed by Zach Braff and scheduled to premiere later this month at the Sundance festival.

Avery grew up in Atlantic City, N.J., and served in the Navy in Vietnam in the late 1960s. After returning to the states, he settled in California and studied drama and literature at the University of California at San Diego.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and stepson Kevin Waters.