James Avery

James Avery

Birth : 1945-11-27, Pughsville [now Suffolk], Virginia, USA

Death : 2013-12-31

History

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.

Profile

James Avery
James Avery
James Avery
James Avery
James Avery
James Avery

Movies

Wish I Was Here
Audition Actor #2
Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, is 35 years old and still trying to find a purpose for his life. He and his wife are barely getting by financially and Aidan passes his time by fantasizing about being the great futuristic Space-Knight he'd always dreamed he'd be as a little kid. When his ailing father can no longer afford to pay for private school for his two kids and the only available public school is on its last legs, Aidan reluctantly agrees to attempt to home-school them. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn't find.
Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer
Judge Parsons
Young, ace assistant DA, Shelby Cook, works with driven cop, Mike Holland, to catch Daedalus, a serial killer infamous for luring his victims to their deaths through labyrinth traps. Three innocent men have already taken the fall for Daedalus and when Daedalus strikes again, Shelby finds herself defending the latest man accused, a retired and respected judge--who also happens to be her own father.
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film
Dr. Beckett
A psychotherapist helps a law student cope with schizophrenia in one of five interconnected tales dealing with mental illness.
Stars In Shorts
Haig
Seven short films, all of which feature name actors, including Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Colin Firth, Lily Tomlin, Keira Knightley, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and more.
Not Your Time
Haig
A failed screenwriter's suicide threat turns out to be his best sales pitch.
Steppin : The Movie
The Chancellor
Every college campus has its rivalries and UTS is no different. At this university, the Geeks run the campus and the greatest Steppers are king of the hill. When a local radio station announces the beginning of the step competition season, the campus fraternities and sororities fight to recruit the best talent that will help them win the big-money prize.
Divine Intervention
Rev. Matthews
Reverend Robert Gibbs is a young, hip pastor who temporarily takes over the helm of a Fundamentalist Baptist church while his predecessor Reverend Matthews recovers from a stroke. While trying to impress Reverend Matthews, Gibbs has to win the approval of his congregation, the Deacon board, and most importantly Reverend Matthews? daughter Divine, who has recently lost her faith in God.
Who's Your Caddy?
Caddy Mack
Superstar rap mogul C-Note wants to join the Carolina Pines Golf & Country Club, but faces stiff opposition from the establishment's snooty members. C-Note forces the issue by purchasing the land adjacent to the golf course's 17th hole. As the club leaders search for a way to revoke his membership, C-Note realizes his family's honor and golf history are at stake, and digs in for the fight of his life.
Danika
Teddy Johnson
The story follows Danika, a woman whose fears for her children are manifested in premonitions of death and disaster.
Think Tank
Uncle John
Bumbling, twenty-something slackers use their self-proclaimed "genius" to save a small town from the evil clutches of Lord Billiards, a land-grabbing pool celebrity.
Wheelmen
Vice President
Two limo drivers hope to make money by escorting an executive around Los Angeles. Things go awry when they get caught up in a sabotage plot to assassinate the Vice President of the United States.
The Third Wish
George
Bookshop clerk Maggie Malone is granted three wishes after she finds a first-edition copy of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.
Lethal Eviction
Gus Winter
A first time landlord purchases a run-down, rent-controlled apartment building in hopes of making a solid investment. Everything seems to be going smoothly until, one by one, the tenants begin to meet strange, untimely gruesome deaths.
Hair Show
Seymour Gold
Peaches, a hair stylist from Baltimore, and her estranged sister, Angela, the owner of an upscale salon in Beverly Hills, get reacquainted when Peaches decides to attend a celebration for Angela in LA. The reunion is bittersweet and worsens when Angela finds out that Peaches is on the run from the IRS and has only a few days to pay $50,000 in back taxes. After some hilarious moments and passionate exchanges, the two sisters join forces to fight off a pesky rival salon owner Marcella and save Peaches from her troubles by competing for a lucrative cash prize and bragging rights at the city's annual hair show. BEAUTY SHOP proves that blood and family run thicker than water.
Raise Your Voice
Mr. Gantry
A coming-of-age story centered around a small-town singer brokenhearted by the death of her brother in a car crash, who had secretly submitted her for a summer session at a performing arts academy in Los Angeles. In the academy, she experiences a whole new way of life in the big city, far from the small town lifestyle she's used to.
Nancy Drew
Prof. Shifflin
In this movie, Maggie Lawson plays Nancy Drew. A young woman who has just entered college. While rushing with her friends Bess and George, the star football player, Jesse, goes into a coma. Nancy can sense there is something more to the story, so she starts investigating. In only a short period of time she gets arrested, asked out by a cop, almost expelled and gets one of her friends expelled. But that doesn't stop her from finding out what happened to Jesse. Written by Kate Price!!!
Epoch
Dr. Solomon Holt
Disaster strikes as a specialised team of investigators struggle to find out the truth about a strange monolith which sends out an intercontinental signal.
The Nightmare Room: Scareful What You Wish For
R.L. Stine
Anthology series centered on teens facing supernatural threats, many based on the books by R.L. Stine.
Dr. Dolittle 2
Eldon
A group of beavers ask Dr. Dolittle to save their habitat from loggers. The only hope is to get the forest preserved because it's the home of a protected bear, but there's a problem: the bear's the only bear in the forest, so she can't reproduce. Undaunted, Dolittle persuades a circus bear to help out, but he has to teach him not just the ways of the wild, but the wiles of lady bears too.
Honeybee
American independent filmmaker Melvin James makes his feature debut with the low-budget sports drama Honeybee. Soap opera actress Senait Ashenafi stars as Brianna Dukes, an upper middle-class college student who decides to drop out of school and become a professional boxer despite the fact that she is a complete novice. Her upwardly mobile father Larry Dukes strongly disapproves of her decision. However, Brianna finds support from her trainer Pablo Rodriquez and starts boxing under the name "Honeybee." Eventually she has to prove herself in the big match against her rival, champion lesbian fighter Rhonda "Lady D" Andrews.
Dancing in September
Mr. Warner
A black female TV producer struggles in Hollywood.
Out in Fifty
Cappy
A reformed ex-convict enters a love triangle and gets manipulated into being a scapegoat in a murder scheme for revenge.
The Prince of Egypt
Additional Voices (voice)
This is the extraordinary tale of two brothers named Moses and Ramses, one born of royal blood, and one an orphan with a secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But the truth will ultimately set them at odds, as one becomes the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth, and the other the chosen leader of his people! Their final confrontation will forever change their lives and the world.
You Lucky Dog
Calvin Bridges
Jack Morgan is a dog therapist, once famous for being able to read his dog's mind. Although Jack cannot read the minds of other dogs, he still operates a canine mind-reading business, without divulging his inability to customers. Mr. Mooney and his wife bring their dog to see Jack. Dissatisfied with Jack's inability to read his dog's mind, Mr. Mooney, who is a friend of the city mayor, threatens to have his business closed down. After the Mooneys leave, a wealthy man named Clyde Windsor brings his dog, Lucky, to see Jack, who is stunned by his ability to read the dog's mind. He seems worried by this fact and ends the session early. Before Windsor leaves, Jack informs him that Lucky is bothered by three individuals that live with him.
The Advanced Guard
Fred, Captive Security Guard
A group of aliens arrive on Earth as part of an advance invasion force. Their mission is to kidnap a small sample of humans and run them through a series of rigorous tests to determine if they would make suitable slaves. Harper, one of the alien experimenters, has beceme frustrated with her planet's endless cycle of conquest and extermination and begins to feel some sympathy for her human captives. While the prisoners see a glimmer of hope in the compassionate alien, will it be any use in stopping the enormous attack fleet just a few days from Earth?
Spirit Lost
Dr. Glidden
John Chapman and his beautiful wife Willie have just moved into a seaside village on the North Carolina coast. But they quickly discover that their quaint new house already has a long-standing tenant. Built 200 years ago by a philandering sea captain, the house is residence to the spirit of Arabella, an abandoned lover with an insatiable, centuries-old lust and a viciously jealous nature. Spirit Lost welcomes you to the dark side of Ghost - an erotic tale of the supernatural.
Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale
The Headman
A brave boy named Temba ventures to find food and water for his drought-striken village. But when he is given a set of magical bones, he uses them to gain riches for himself instead of sharing with his friends.
Midnight Ramble
Narrator
A documentary chronicling the pioneering efforts of black filmmaker William D. Foster in the early years of the industry and Oscar Micheaux's controversial impact on the subsequent "race movies".
A Friend to Die For
Agent Gilwood
Angela Delvecchio, coming from a rather poor family, moves into the rich town Montevista. She admires Stacy, leader of the most prestigeous clique of her high school. Angela wants to be accepted and seeks Stacy's friendship. But when she defends outsider Monica against Stacy, she becomes Stacy's target herself. Mocked, she stabs Stacy with a kitchen's knife. The trial becomes a sensation.
Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die
Chess Player
The Harts find themselves in the middle of a dangerous murder plot, but it isn't clear if the plot it a famous author's fictional murder-mystery, or an actual murder plot, until Jonathan finds himself the unsuspecting target of a killer. It begins to look like the culprit behind the plot is an old friend, Frank Crane, but there may be a connection to a corporate takeover of Hart Industries as well.
Little Miss Millions
Agent Noah Hollander
Private detective Nick is hired to bring back Heather, who ran away from her stepmother to find her real mother.
Without Warning: Terror in the Towers
Fred Derby
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Planet of the Turtleoids
The Shredder
The Ninja Turtles are going out of this world. Way out! Their arch villain Shredder has concocted two new mutants and a gigantic robot to destroy the turtles. But also, a mysterious, two foot fifth turtle is following the four around. His name is Kerma and he's from Shellrelah, a turtle world. Well while the turtles are called on to help the turtle world in distress, Shredder is left to do his worst on the city. Can the green teens help their fellow alien turtles and save the city?
Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time
Lt. Coberly
Mark Singer returns as Dar, the warrior who can talk to the beasts. Dar is forced to travel to earth to stop his evil brother from stealing an atomic bomb, and turning their native land from a desert into... well... a desert! Written by Jim Palin
The Linguini Incident
Phil
A waitress, a barman and an underwear designer try to rob a New York restaurant where two of them work.
To My Daughter
Ian Mellon
A mother is haunted by the death of one of her children which has an effect on the surviving siblings in this fact-based drama.
Roe vs. Wade
Holly Hunter plays a lonely, single, poorly educated Texan who finds herself pregnant with no means to support a child. To avoid giving up the child, she seeks an abortion. Denied an abortion in Texas the young woman hires a novice lawyer to plead her case in the US supreme court. Eventually the law is changed, but for the character it takes longer than nine months.
Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal
Earl
A high-priced call girl who has been secretly videotaping her rich clients is shot to death. An investigation of her murder ensues, bringing those involved into the underground world of pornography and prostitution.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Epic Begins
The Shredder
The first TMNT direct-to-video movie! Meet Raphael, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Leonardo, the Renaissance turtles who are fighting evil for truth, justice and a larger slice of pizza. Heroes in a half shell... Turtle Power!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Halfshell
The Shredder
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE fever has struck the nation! They're weird, they're wacky, and, man, are they ever hip! These HEROES IN A HALF SHELL are the latest rage among kids, teenagers, and ultra cool adults. Once common hosehold pets, they were transformed into mutants by radioactive green slime. Now, this noble foursome spreads their message of truth, justice, and a larger slice of pizza for all! Join Raphael, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Leonardo in their very first video adventure filled with laughter, lunacy, and unbeatable fun for everyone.
License to Drive
Les' DMV examiner
Teenager Les Anderson thinks his life can't get any worse after he flunks his driver's exam, but he's wrong. Even though he didn't receive his license, Les refuses to break his date with the cool Mercedes Lane, and he decides to lift his family's prize luxury car for the occasion. Unfortunately, Mercedes sneaks some booze along and passes out drunk, and a confused Les makes the bad decision of enlisting his rebellious friend, Dean, to help.
Nightflyers
Darryl
A scientific group set out on a journey into space to find a magical creature. What they find is a killer computer on the ship they chartered.
Three for the Road
Clarence
A crafty political aide and his soft-spoken pal are assigned the job of delivering a senator's out-of-control teenage daughter to an institution.
Timestalkers
Blacksmith
History professor Scott McKenzie makes an anachronistic discovery in a photograph from the Old West and he is soon joined by beautiful time-traveler Georgia in a time-skipping adventure to stop her colleague from the future from erasing her from existence.
Deadly Daphne's Revenge
Detective Wood
A young hitchhiker is picked up by four drunken hunters, one of whom rapes her. A tough prosecutor has all four of the men indicted for the crime, which results in a suicide and a murder-for-hire plot.
Sunday Drive
Oliver
Two identical cars pull up to a restaurant, one belonging to a childless couple who are taking care of their niece and nephew while their parents are away, who are out on a Sunday drive. The other belonging to a guy who is on his way to meet his fiance and to begin working for her father. In his car is his dog, whom the couple mistake for the children, when they get into his car and drive. While he goes into their car and the children are under a blanket and he mistakenly assumes it's his dog. When they discover the mistake they are both so far away from each other that they don't know what to do.
Extremities
Security Guard
A woman escapes from the man who is about to rape her, but leaves her purse behind. Afraid that her attacker might come after her, she goes to the police, but with no proof of the incident, they can do nothing. In fact, the man does use the information in her bag and comes to her apartment with the intent of rape, but she sprays him in the face with insect repellent, and then holds him captive. She is then faced with deciding whether to go to the police who might not believe her and release him, or to kill him.
Condor
Cas
In futuristic Los Angeles, a crime-fighting organization known as Condor goes up against the Black Widow, a female master criminal. The Black Widow steals the national security code and threatens to blow up Hollywood unless her old enemy, Proctor, a Condor operative, is turned over to her.
Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story
Hank Dudney
8 Million Ways to Die
Deputy D.A.
Scudder is a detective with the Sheriff's Department who is forced to shoot a violent suspect during a narcotics raid. The ensuing psychological aftermath of this shooting worsens his drinking problem and this alcoholism causes him to lose his job, as well as his marriage.
The Ladies Club
Joe
A raped policewoman forms a vigilante group of various rape victims. They abduct and castrate men whom have committed repeated violations of women, and got away with it through legal technicalities.
The 11th Commandment
Attendant
A murderous psycho breaks out of a mental hospital and goes after his rich uncle who killed his father and raped his mother.
Stoogemania
Gulch
The film centers on Howard F. Howard, an overweight everyman. Engaged to Beverly, the woman of his dreams, Howard has one problem - an overactive fixation with The Three Stooges. Everywhere Howard goes, he sees Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard intruding on his life. Determined to overcome his fixation, Howard and Beverly prepare for their wedding. But on his way to the ceremony, Howard descends into Stoogemania and finds himself walking into the city streets with other Stoogemaniacs. His only hope is commitment to the Stooge Hills sanitarium, under the care of a renowned psychologist, until the inmates take over the asylum on graduation day.
Appointment with Fear
Connors
An Egyptian god figures into a bizarre murder investigation where the suspect uses astral projection to murder at will.
Fletch
Detective #2
When investigative reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher goes undercover to write a piece on the drug trade at a local beach, he's approached by wealthy businessman Alan Stanwyk, who offers him $50,000 to murder him. With sarcastic wit and a knack for disguises, Fletch sets out to uncover Stanwyk's story.
Kicks
Stanley
A wealthy man with a penchant for living on the edge and engaging in dangerous, life-threatening activities becomes romantically involved with a female university professor who has the same proclivities.
Laugh Busters
While getting ready to promote the new 1984 fall Saturday morning line-up, the Director D.W. and his assistant are interrupted by the infamous Gargamore O'Dette who plans to bring down the special and NBC itself. Gargamore has kidnapped a bunch of the new cartoon characters and sent his live action henchmen (played by James Avery and Bill Saluga from Going Bananas) to stop the real live actors from making it onto the special. Gargamore wants to do this because the new Saturday morning line-up is funny and he's deathly allergic to laughter.
Antony and Cleopatra
Mardian
Adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
The Stunt Man
Man Playing Pinball (uncredited)
While on the run from the police, Steve Railsback hides in a group of moviemakers where he pretends to be a stunt man. Both aided and endangered by the director he avoids both the police and sudden death as a stuntman. The mixture of real danger and fantasy of the movie is an interesting twist for the viewer as the two blend in individual scenes.
The Blues Brothers
Man Dancing Outside Ray's Shop (uncredited)
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back togther to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.