YOUR FAVOURITE MTV SHOWS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON PARAMOUNT+

Will Smith Speaks Out About On-Screen Uncle James Avery

Avery, who played Uncle Phil, passed away last week...

Will Smith has spoken out about on-screen uncle James Avery, who passed away last week.

Will and James both starred in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air during the early 1990s, with Will playing the wayward nephew to Avery’s Uncle Phil.

“Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery,” Smith wrote today on his Facebook page.

“Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace.”

Accompanying the tribute was a photograph of the Fresh Prince cast, which Will captioned: "This photo was the last time we were together."

James died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 65 from complications related to open-heart surgery.

Last week Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith paid tribute to the star on her Facebook page, writing: “Happy New Year everyone! I was hoping to start the new year differently but we have lost yet another friend. James Avery who we all lovingly know as Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince has passed.

"Our condolences to aunt Florence (his mother), Miss Barbara (his wife) and all those who loved him. Rest in peace James."

Latest News