James Avery Dead: 5 Inspirational Quotes From 'Uncle Phil'

James Avery, who played Uncle Phil on the hit 90s sitcom "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" has died at the age of 68. The actor died from complications following open hear surgery. Avery had surgery on November 11 and died of complications on Tuesday evening. Avery played the stern but loving Philip Banks, uncle to Will Smith's character on the sitcom from 1990 to 1996. Below are five quotes from the actor to celbrate his life and legacy.

Avery was a classically trained actor who understood the craft as a labor of love and passion above all else. In 2007 he spoke at the New York Film Aacademy saying, "You can either be a movie star or an actor. I'm an actor. " He is also quoted as saying, "You are only an actor if you absolutely love it and can not do anything else. Starving for your art is great in your 20s, but it's not so great at 35. It has to be absolute love. You can't worry about being a movie star or anything else. Just love. That's it."

Avery also understood the true meaning of success: "Monetary success is not success. Career success is not success. Life, someone that loves you, giving to others, doing something that makes you feel complete and full. That is success. And it isn't dependent on anyone else."

Avery orignally wanted to be a writer: "I wanted to leave home, and I didn't know where I was going or what I was going to do or what would happen. That's youth, though. Being fixated on things. I was fixated on being a writer."

He understood the nature of writing as a craft also: "Writing is such a singular and lonely occupation. And it's interesting; all of the work that you create is so singular."

Above all he understood the importance of human communication: "I don't understand this whole Twitter, Facebook stuff. I don't get it. Make a phone call. Talk to somebody."

Avery is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbara Avery and his mother, Florence Avery.