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

The Prince of Egypt
1998 · as Additional Voices (voice)

The Blues Brothers
1980 · as Man Dancing Outside Ray's Shop

Dr. Dolittle 2
2001 · as Eldon

License to Drive
1988 · as Les' DMV examiner

Danika
2006 · as Teddy Johnson

The Brady Bunch Movie
1995 · as Mr. Steve Yeager

Fletch
1985 · as Detective #2

Shout
1991 · as Midnight Rider (voice)

Raise Your Voice
2004 · as Mr. Gantry

Extremities
1986 · as Security Guard

Who's Your Caddy?
2007 · as Caddy Mack

Nightflyers
1987 · as Darryl

Stars in Shorts
2012 · as Haig

Wish I Was Here
2014 · as Audition Actor #2

Roe vs. Wade
1989

Stoogemania
1985 · as Gulch

Nancy Drew
2002 · as Prof. Shifflin

The Stunt Man
1980 · as Diner Patron (uncredited)