James Avery – who played Uncle Phil in TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – has died.

Avery’s publicist, Cynthia Snyder, announced that 68 year old Avery died in Glendale, California, yesterday following complications from open heart surgery on Tuesday 31st December.

Avery grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 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.

The news comes just a week after Fresh Prince of Bel Air producer Jeff Pollack was found dead aged 54.

The famed director, who was behind comedies such as Lost & Found, Booty Call and drama Above The Rim, died suddenly last Monday morning in Hermosa Beach, California.

He was found in Greenbelt Park, which is a popular spot for jogging and outdoor activities in the area. He was wearing jogging clothes, lieutenant Tom Thompson of the Hermosa Beach Police Department confirmed.

Fellow actor Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Avery’s son, Carlton Banks, in the classic 1990s comedy series, paid his tribute on his Facebook page.

“The world has lost a truly special man. I am very saddened to say that James Avery has passed,” he wrote.

“Even though he played my father on TV, he was a wonderful father figure to me in life. He will be deeply missed.”

Tatyana Ali, who played Avery’s daughter, Ashley, in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, tweeted: “James was my teacher my protector & the most magnificent actor. We’re feeling his loss very deeply. He’ll always be apart of me #JamesAvery.”

Having served in Vietnam during 1968 and 1969, Avery wrote poetry and television scripts before enjoying a host of acting roles in a large number of films and TV shows.

These included parts in Greys Anatomy, The Closer and Star Trek: Enterprise, and a voice role in 1996 movie Happy Gilmore.