James L. Avery, Sr. (born November 27, 1948) is 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
TV show The 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 the popular sitcom
That '70s Show.
