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James Avery

James Avery

Actor · Died December 31, 2013, aged 68 · Pughsville [now Suffolk], Virginia, USA

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 27, 1945
Died
December 31, 2013 (aged 68)
From
Pughsville [now Suffolk], Virginia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
75 on MovieCove · 131 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 17% in 30 days

What are James Avery's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 8th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Sci-Fi2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 9th percentile
: browse their Sci-Fi movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
26%
Bonds
18%
Society
16%
Power
12%
Survival
11%
Ideas
10%
Self
7%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFate2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 7 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 14 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 12 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 9 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 9
Ally
2 of 9
Mentor
2 of 9
Threshold guardian
2 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Joyful
9
Absurd
7
Thrilling
8
Warm
7
Other
17

How their films linger

Fun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Avery's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 52 of their 75 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Avery's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

131 credits, 75 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Wish I Was Here(2014)

    as Audition Actor #2

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer(2013)

    as Judge Parsons

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Call Me Crazy: A Five Film(2013)

    as Dr. Beckett

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Stars in Shorts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Haig

  • The Problem Solverz(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Ninja Master Head (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Harry's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Billings

  • Not Your Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Haig

  • Sherri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 13 episodes · as Redmond

  • Steppin: The Movie(2009)

    as The Chancellor

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Divine Intervention (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Rev. Matthews

  • Eli Stone(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Mason Andrews

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Who's Your Caddy?(2007)

    as Caddy Mack

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Danika(2005)

    as Teddy Johnson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Think Tank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Uncle John

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 11 episodes · as Dr. Crippen

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Spider-Man: The Venom Saga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jim Rhodes / War Machine (voice)

  • Wheelmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Vice President

  • The Third Wish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as George

  • Living with Fran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Lethal Eviction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Gus Winter

  • Hair Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Seymour Gold

  • Raise Your Voice(2004)

    as Mr. Gantry

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • That's So Raven(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Presto Jones

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Nancy Drew(2002)

    as Prof. Shifflin

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Epoch(2001)

    as Dr. Solomon Holt

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Reba(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Samuel Bennett

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Enterprise(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as General K'Vagh

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Philly(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Dean Mark Clivner

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Erkhart

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Proud Family(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Crandall Smythe (voice)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • The Legend of Tarzan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as (voice) · as Keewazi (voice)

  • The Nightmare Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 13 episodes · as R.L. Stine

  • The Nightmare Room: Scareful What You Wish For (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as R.L. Stine

  • Dr. Dolittle 2(2001)

    as Eldon

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Honeybee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Dancing in September (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Mr. Warner

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 9 episodes · as Charles Haysbert

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Preston Cash

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Girlfriends(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Couch

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Harold Jenkins

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Out in Fifty(1999)

    as Cappy

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Prince of Egypt(1998)

    as Additional Voices (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Charmed(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Zola

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • One World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as William Richard

  • The Wild Thornberrys(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Gorilla (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • That '70s Show(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · as Officer Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • You Lucky Dog(1998)

    as Calvin Bridges

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Advanced Guard(1998)

    as Fred, Captive Security Guard

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Two Guys and a Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge

  • Spirit Lost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Dr. Glidden

  • Going Places (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 19 episodes · as Host

  • Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 26 episodes · as Gor-illa (voice)

  • The Jamie Foxx Show(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Sparks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 40 episodes · as Alonzo Sparks

  • Murder One(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Nathaniel Alexander

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Father (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as The Headman

  • The Brady Bunch Movie(1995)

    as Mr. Steve Yeager

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man: The Animated Series(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jim Rhodes / War Machine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Midnight Ramble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator

  • Gargoyles(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as The Shaman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Death of a Cheerleader(1994)

    as Agent Gilwood

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Iron Man(1994)

    Show 13 episodes · as War Machine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die(1994)

    as Chess Player

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Duckman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as 'Beware!' Guy (voice) · as School Policeman (voice)

  • Aladdin(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Haroud Hazi Bin (voice)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Little Miss Millions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Agent Noah Hollander

  • Without Warning: Terror in the Towers(1993)

    as Fred Derby

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Turtles' Awesome Easter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • Shout(1991)

    as Midnight Rider (voice)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Prince Valiant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 65 episodes · as Sir Bryant (voice)

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Planet of the Turtleoids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • Roc(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Dale Hammers

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles at the Earth's Core (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Splinter (voice)

  • Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time(1991)

    as Lt. Coberly

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Linguini Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Phil

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Attack of the Big MACC (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • To My Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Ian Mellon

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air(1990)

    Show 148 episodes · as Philip Banks

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Rocksteady and Mighty Bebop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • Capital News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Fairchild

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cowabunga, Shredhead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • Turn Back the Clock(1989)

    as Fred (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Incredible Shrinking Turtles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • Family Matters(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • FM (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 13 episodes · as Quentin Lamoreaux

  • Roe vs. Wade(1989)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal(1989)

    as Earl

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Epic Begins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • American Experience(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Hamilton Houston (voice) · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • A Pup Named Scooby-Doo(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Count Shockula (voice)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Halfshell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Hot Rodding Teenagers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Shredder (voice)

  • License to Drive(1988)

    as Les' DMV examiner

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(1987)

    Show 169 episodes · as Shredder (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Deadly Daphne's Revenge(1987)

    as Detective Wood

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Nightflyers(1987)

    as Darryl

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Beauty and the Beast(1987)

    Show 3 episodes · as Winslow

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • A Different World(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as The Pin Punisher

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Three for the Road(1987)

    as Clarence

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Timestalkers(1987)

    as Blacksmith

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Sunday Drive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Oliver

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 6 episodes · as Judge Michael Conover

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Real Ghostbusters(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Giant / Gingerbread House / White Rabbit (voice) · as Judge / Booming Voice / Jurors (voice) · as Killerwatt (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Extremities(1986)

    as Security Guard

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Condor(1985)

    as Cas

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story(1986)

    as Hank Dudney

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • 8 Million Ways to Die(1986)

    as Deputy D.A.

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Rambo: The Force of Freedom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 65 episodes · Actor

  • The Ladies Club(1985)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Eleventh Commandment(1986)

    as Attendant

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Appointment with Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Connors

  • Stoogemania(1985)

    as Gulch

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Hansen

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 41 episodes · as (voice)

  • Fletch(1985)

    as Detective #2

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Kicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Stanley

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Reuben King

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Going Bananas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 12 episodes · as Hank

  • Laugh Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Bubba

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Hopkins

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Quint

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Antony and Cleopatra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mardian

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Man in E.R.

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Construction Worker

  • The Stunt Man(1980)

    as Diner Patron (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Blues Brothers(1980)

    as Man Dancing Outside Ray's Shop

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Dallas(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge J. Fowler

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 131 titles from 1978 to 2014; peak year 1987.

Biggest box office

Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)

$176M worldwide

Highest rated

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Film career

19782014

Peak 1987 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting131 of 131: 131 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score48th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s46 · acting1990s43 · acting2000s34 · acting2010s7 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
80909505

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do James Avery's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 29th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 19th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

19thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 75 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th22
  • Below 25th17

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 75 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned4
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed28

Most divisive · actor

Steppin: The Movie (2009)

94th percentile spread · 62% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is James Avery's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does James Avery work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Avery's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Barry Gordon shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles