Barbara Avery: Who Was James Avery Married To?
James Avery found fans thanks to his portrayal of Philip Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
When the actor died in 2013, it sent shock waves through Hollywood, with many of his Fresh Prince castmates and other friends coming out to remember the actor.
But one more person who was deeply saddened by the actor’s passing was James Avery’s wife, Barbara Avery.
So who is Barbara Avery, and what do we know about the pair’s relationship?
Who is Barbara Avery?
James Avery married Barbara Avery in 1988. Actually, the two were long-time sweethearts, and they stayed together all the way until James’ heartbreaking death in 2013.
Since the early 1990s, Barbara Avery has worked at universities across the United States. She started as the Dean of Students at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where the couple lived.
Now, Barbara is the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Occidental College, a private liberal arts university in Los Angeles.
(Image/ Source: Twitter @alfonso_ribeiro)
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James and Barbara Avery didn’t have any children together, but James was a stepdad to Barbara’s son Kevin Waters.
Reports say that Barbara was at the hospital when her husband died, whose cause of death was complications from open-heart surgery.
According to medical records, 68-year-old James suffered from a variety of health concerns, including type 2 diabetes, end-stage kidney disease, and severe coronary heart disease.
Actor Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Philip Banks’ son Carlton in Fresh Prince, hosted the memorial party for James. He said:
“We said goodbye to the amazing James Avery last night. I was honored to host the memorial for Barbara Avery. It was a wonderful tribute and celebration of his life. He will be deeply missed.”
James Avery’s Career
Though James Avery is best known for his starring role on Fresh Prince, he had a long and illustrious acting career.
He graduated with a bachelors degree in drama and literature from Thurgood Marshall College in 1976 and started his career on television. Some of his first roles were on Hill Street Blues, Brothers, and L.A. Law.
He played the loveable Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from the show’s debut in 1990 until the final season in 1996.
(Image/ Source: YouTube)
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The cast of Fresh Prince reunited for a special HBO Max episode in 2020, where they shared their memories of working alongside James Avery.
In one poignant moment, Will Smith – who played the titular Fresh Prince – teared up as he described doing a scene with the late actor.
“With the scene that we do, it’s the scene that ends being in the episode. And I fall into his arms at the end of the scene, he’s holding me and he’s holding me. He whispered into my ear, ‘Now that’s acting.’
It’s like people don’t even know when they’re shaping you and forming you and crafting you. He knew.”
A New Fresh Prince
In 2019, filmmaker and Fresh Prince fan Morgan Cooper posted a fan-made trailer for a reimagined Fresh Prince series called Bel-Air on YouTube. The video immediately went viral, with even Will Smith praising Morgan for his fresh reinvention of the show.
Will liked the idea for the show so much that he developed the trailer into a new reboot of the 90s show. It also set off a streaming war – Netflix, Peacock, Amazon, and Apple were all reportedly interested in buying the rights.
Now, the first trailer for the sitcom-turned-drama Bel-Air gives a glimpse of the reboot, which is set to debut in February 2022. And for fans of the original, this new reimagining might come as a surprise.
(Image/ Source: digitalspy.com)
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The trailer gives the show a much darker atmosphere, with the plot delving into Will’s past in Philadelphia. Newcomer Jabari Banks takes over from Will Smith in the main role.
Will Smith was the first to announce that Jabari would take over as Will. The original Fresh Prince sent the actor a supportive message on Instagram.
Will Smith said: “You got a fantastic road ahead of you. I am looking forward to being an asset for you in this process as you build out your life and your career.”
It seems that the show is set for success -Peacock have already renewed it for a second season.
