<P> Avery was the commencement speaker for his alma mater, UC San Diego's Thurgood Marshall College in 2007, and again in 2012 . </P> <P> In 1988, Avery married Barbara . He had no children of his own, but was a stepfather to his wife's son, Kevin Waters . </P> <P> On December 31, 2013, Avery died aged 68, from complications following open heart surgery at Glendale Memorial Medical Center . He was survived by his mother, Florence Avery (1924--2016), as well as his wife and stepson . </P> <P> Janet Hubert, who portrayed his original on - screen wife Vivian on The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air, said after his death, "RIP James, all the world is a stage, and we are all merely players in this production called LIFE ." Will Smith commented on Avery's death by saying, "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 ." Joseph Marcell called Avery a "gentle giant". </P>

Who played will smith dad in fresh prince