10:46 AM PT -- We've just learned Avery had recently undergone open heart surgery and died from complications from the operation.
James Avery -- the beloved dad on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" -- has died at age 65 .. TMZ has learned.
Sources close to the actor tell TMZ he died in an L.A. hospital last night. Avery had recently undergone surgery for an undisclosed illness and took a turn for the worse late yesterday.
And we're told ... his wife, Barbara, had been at his bedside but left for a short period of time and when she came back ... she learned he had just died.
Alfonso Ribeiro -- who played Avery's son on "Fresh Prince" -- just posted a message on his Facebook page.
Avery starred in dozens of TV shows through the years -- shows like "Grey's Anatomy," "The Closer," "L.A. Law," and "The Jeffersons." This past year, he appeared in three TV movies -- most recently, "Go, Bolivia, Go!" -- but didn't appear to have other projects in the works.
Avery reunited with most of his "Fresh Prince" cast -- including Will Smith -- two years ago at a charity event.
Story developing....
http://www.tmz.com/2014/01/01/james...-of-bel-air-actor-will-smith-alfonso-ribiero/
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He was one of the GOAT TV fathers
