James Avery

Actor

James Avery

Born November 27, 1945 in Pughsville [now Suffolk], Virginia, USADied December 31, 201370 films

James LaRue Avery (November 27, 1945 – December 31, 2013) was an American actor.

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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.

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The best way into James Avery's work
A Friend to Die For posterFirst watchA Friend to Die For19946.3as Agent GilwoodA leading role.Who could have stabbed popular, beautiful cheerleader Stacy to death? It could have been antisocial Goth girl Monica; it could've been angst-ridden Jill -- or maybe it was the plain girl…View film

Essential films

Ranked by role, acclaim and reach
Who's Your Caddy? poster3.4Who's Your Caddy?2007The Blues Brothers poster7.7The Blues Brothers1980The Prince of Egypt poster7.3The Prince of Egypt1998Spider-Man: The Venom Saga poster7.0Spider-Man: The Venom Saga2005Fletch poster6.7Fletch1985Dr. Dolittle 2 poster5.3Dr. Dolittle 22001Epoch poster4.8Epoch2001Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time poster4.7Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time1991

Filmography

70 films as actor
  1. 2014Wish I Was HereAudition Actor #2
  2. 2013Hunt for the Labyrinth KillerJudge Parsons
  3. 2013Call Me Crazy: A Five FilmDr. Beckett
  4. 2012Stars in ShortsHaig
  5. 2010Not Your TimeHaig
  6. 2009Steppin: The MovieThe Chancellor
  7. 2008Divine InterventionRev. Matthews
  8. 2007Who's Your Caddy?Caddy Mack
  9. 2006DanikaTeddy Johnson
  10. 2006Think TankUncle John
  11. 2006Restraining OrderJudge Sanderson
  12. 2005Spider-Man: The Venom SagaJim Rhodes / War Machine (voice)
  13. 2005WheelmenVice President
  14. 2005The Third WishGeorge
  15. 2005Lethal EvictionGus Winter
  16. 2004Hair ShowSeymour Gold
  17. 2004Raise Your VoiceMr. Gantry
  18. 2002Nancy DrewProf. Shifflin
  19. 2002The Nightmare Room: Camp NowhereR.L. Stine
  20. 2001EpochDr. Solomon Holt
  21. 2001The Nightmare Room: Scareful What You Wish ForR.L. Stine
  22. 2001Dr. Dolittle 2Eldon
  23. 2001Honeybee
  24. 2001Dancing in SeptemberMr. Warner
  25. 1999Out in FiftyCappy
  26. 1998The Prince of EgyptAdditional Voices (voice)
  27. 1998You Lucky DogCalvin Bridges
  28. 1998The Advanced GuardFred, Captive Security Guard
  29. 1995Jirimpimbira: An African Folk TaleThe Headman
  30. 1995The Brady Bunch MovieMr. Steve Yeager
  31. 1994A Friend to Die ForAgent Gilwood
  32. 1994Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never DieChess Player
  33. 1993Little Miss MillionsAgent Noah Hollander
  34. 1993Without Warning: Terror in the TowersFred Derby
  35. 1992Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Turtles' Awesome EasterShredder (voice)
  36. 1991ShoutMidnight Rider (voice)
  37. 1991Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Planet of the TurtleoidsShredder (voice)
  38. 1991Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles at the Earth's CoreSplinter (voice)
  39. 1991Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of TimeLt. Coberly
  40. 1991The Linguini IncidentPhil
  41. 1991Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Attack of the Big MACCShredder (voice)
  42. 1990To My DaughterIan Mellon
  43. 1990Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Rocksteady and Mighty BebopShredder (voice)
  44. 1990Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cowabunga, ShredheadShredder (voice)
  45. 1989Turn Back the ClockFred (uncredited)
  46. 1989Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Incredible Shrinking TurtlesShredder (voice)
  47. 1989Roe vs. Wade
  48. 1988Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Epic BeginsShredder (voice)
  49. 1988Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a HalfshellShredder (voice)
  50. 1988Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Hot Rodding TeenagersShredder (voice)
  51. 1988License to DriveLes' DMV examiner
  52. 1987Deadly Daphne's RevengeDetective Wood
  53. 1987NightflyersDarryl
  54. 1987Three for the RoadClarence
  55. 1987TimestalkersBlacksmith
  56. 1986Sunday DriveOliver
  57. 1986ExtremitiesSecurity Guard
  58. 1986CondorCas
  59. 1986Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder StoryHank Dudney
  60. 19868 Million Ways to DieDeputy D.A.
  61. 1986The Ladies ClubJoe
  62. 1986The 11th CommandmentAttendant
  63. 1985Appointment with FearConnors
  64. 1985StoogemaniaGulch
  65. 1985FletchDetective #2
  66. 1985KicksStanley
  67. 1984Laugh BustersHank
  68. 1983Antony and CleopatraMardian
  69. 1980The Stunt ManDiner Patron (uncredited)
  70. 1980The Blues BrothersMan Dancing Outside Ray's Shop