RIP James Avery (Fresh Prince's Uncle Phil) - Dies at Age 68

TMZ Reports:

James Avery -- the beloved dad on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" -- has died at age 68 .. TMZhas learned.

Sources close to the actor tell TMZ he died in an L.A. hospital last night. Avery had recently undergone surgery for an undisclosed illness and took a turn for the worse late yesterday.

And we're told his wife, Barbara, had been at his bedside but left for a short period of time to get something to eat. When she came back, she learned he had just died.

Avery starred in dozens of TV shows through the years -- shows like "Grey's Anatomy," "The Closer," "L.A. Law," and "The Jeffersons."  This past year, he appeared in three TV movies -- most recently, "Go, Bolivia, Go!" -- but didn't appear to have other projects in the works.

Avery reunited with most of his "Fresh Prince" cast -- including Will Smith --  two years ago at a charity event.

clips from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"