'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' actor James Avery dies at 68

James Avery has passed away at the age of 68 on Tuesday, Dec. 31 in a Glendale, Calif. hospital after heart surgery.

Cynthia Snyder, the actor's publicist, told the Associated Press that Avery died on Tuesday and reported that he was 65 when he died. According to TMZ, the actor was 68 and died in the hospital after undergoing open heart surgery.

Avery played the character of Uncle Phil in the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  His co-star Alfonso Ribeiro posted on his Facebook page a reaction to the news of Avery's death: "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."

The TV show helped start out the career of Will Smith, who at this moment has no news on his reaction to Avery's death. He just retweeted the news of the death.

In addition to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the actor also appeared in other shows such as Charmed, That '70s show and Grey's Anatomy.