
James LaRue Avery (November 27, 1945 – December 31, 2013) was an American actor. Best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney (later judge) Philip Banks, Will Smith's character's uncle, in the TVsitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This character was ranked #34 in TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time." He also provided the voice of Shredder in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series, as well as War Machine in the animated series Iron Man and Junkyard Dog in Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling. He also played Michael Kelso's commanding officer at the police academy late in the series run of That '70s Show.

Grey's Anatomy
TV • 2005

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV • 2000

Crossing Jordan
TV • 2001

Family Matters
TV • 1989

Charmed
TV • 1998

Dallas
TV • 1978

The Closer
TV • 2005

The A-Team
TV • 1983

Strong Medicine
TV • 2000

L.A. Law
TV • 1986

Night Court
TV • 1984

Iron Man
TV • 1994

Star Trek: Enterprise
TV • 2001

St. Elsewhere
TV • 1982

Moonlighting
TV • 1985

That '70s Show
TV • 1998

The Division
TV • 2001

American Experience
TV • 1988