James Avery and Will Smith share no DNA, however since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s debut on September 10th, 1990, they have been inseparable from the national consciousness. Yesterday (January 5th), Will Smith spoke on Avery’s untimely death for the first time since the tragic incident. On his personal Facebook page, Smith shared a photo of himself with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co stars Alfofnso Ribiero, Karyn Parsons-Rockwell, Tatayana Ali and the late James Avery. Deeming the photo as “the last time we were together” Smith shared his thoughts on his former TV uncle:
“Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace.”
Ribiero originally broke the news of Avery’s death on his personal Facebook Account on New Year’s Day:
The world has lost a truly special man. I am very saddened to say that James Avery has passed. Even though he played my father on TV, he was a wonderful father figure to me in life. He will be deeply missed.
