James Avery

Background information

Fullname

James LaRue Avery

Born

November 27,1945
Suffolk,Virginia,United States

Died

December 31,2013 (aged 68)
Glendale,California, United States

Cause of death

Complications from open heart surgery

Nationality

American

Occupation

Actor, voice actor

Years active

1980–2013

Family information

Spouse

Barbara Avery (1988–2013; his death)

James LaRue Avery was an American actor and voice actor, who was best known for his voice role asThe Shredder in the original1987 series ofTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and for his television role asPhilip Banks in theNBC sitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (alongsideWill Smith) between1990 and1996. He also portrayed Steve Yeager inThe Brady Bunch Movie.

ForDisney, he voiced ashaman inGargoyles,Haroud Hazi Bin in theAladdin TV series, Mr. Clapper inPepper Ann,Br'er Bear andBr'er Frog inSplash Mountain (the former role of which he reprised inKinect: Disneyland Adventures),Chief Keewazi inThe Legend of Tarzan, Crandall Smythe inThe Proud Family, and Mr. Narrator inThe Lion King: Animated StoryBook. He also played Oliver inSunday Drive, Calvin Bridges inYou Lucky Dog, and Presto Jones inThat's So Raven.