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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
The Blues Brothers posterFirst watchThe Blues Brothers19807.7as Man Dancing Outside Ray's ShopJake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
The Prince of Egypt poster7.3The Prince of Egypt1998Fletch poster6.8Fletch1985Raise Your Voice poster6.6Raise Your Voice2004Wish I Was Here poster6.5Wish I Was Here2014License to Drive poster6.7License to Drive1988Dr. Dolittle 2 poster5.3Dr. Dolittle 22001The Brady Bunch Movie poster6.1The Brady Bunch Movie1995The Stunt Man poster6.6The Stunt Man1980

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. 2005Spider-Man: The Venom SagaJim Rhodes / War Machine (voice)
  12. 2005WheelmenVice President
  13. 2005The Third WishGeorge
  14. 2005Lethal EvictionGus Winter
  15. 2004Hair ShowSeymour Gold
  16. 2004Raise Your VoiceMr. Gantry
  17. 2002Nancy DrewProf. Shifflin
  18. 2001EpochDr. Solomon Holt
  19. 2001The Nightmare Room: Scareful What You Wish ForR.L. Stine
  20. 2001Dr. Dolittle 2Eldon
  21. 2001Honeybee
  22. 2001Dancing in SeptemberMr. Warner
  23. 1999Out in FiftyCappy
  24. 1998The Prince of EgyptAdditional Voices (voice)
  25. 1998You Lucky DogCalvin Bridges
  26. 1998The Advanced GuardFred, Captive Security Guard
  27. 1997Spirit LostDr. Glidden
  28. 1995Jirimpimbira: An African Folk TaleThe Headman
  29. 1995The Brady Bunch MovieMr. Steve Yeager
  30. 1994A Friend to Die ForAgent Gilwood
  31. 1994Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never DieChess Player
  32. 1993Little Miss MillionsAgent Noah Hollander
  33. 1993Without Warning: Terror in the TowersFred Derby
  34. 1992Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Turtles' Awesome EasterShredder (voice)
  35. 1991ShoutMidnight Rider (voice)
  36. 1991Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Planet of the TurtleoidsShredder (voice)
  37. 1991Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles at the Earth's CoreSplinter (voice)
  38. 1991Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of TimeLt. Coberly
  39. 1991The Linguini IncidentPhil
  40. 1991Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Attack of the Big MACCShredder (voice)
  41. 1990To My DaughterIan Mellon
  42. 1990Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Rocksteady and Mighty BebopShredder (voice)
  43. 1990Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cowabunga, ShredheadShredder (voice)
  44. 1989Turn Back the ClockFred (uncredited)
  45. 1989Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Incredible Shrinking TurtlesShredder (voice)
  46. 1989Roe vs. Wade
  47. 1989Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes ScandalEarl
  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 Busters
  68. 1983Antony and CleopatraMardian
  69. 1980The Stunt ManDiner Patron (uncredited)
  70. 1980The Blues BrothersMan Dancing Outside Ray's Shop