Will Smith Honors the Late James Avery: 'Everyone Needs an Uncle Phil'

Uncle Phil has just received some kind words from his favorite nephew.

Will Smith posted his regards on Facebook to the late James Avery, who starred alongside Smith in the hit 90's sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

"Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery," Smith wrote. "Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace."

The "Men in Black" star was joined by other castmates and members of the fictional Banks family in eulogizing Avery after his death from complications following open heart surgery.

"I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away," tweeted Alfonso Rebeiro, who played Carlton on the show. "He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly."

Tatyana Ali, who played Uncle Phil's daughter Ashley on the show, offered her own thoughts on Twitter as well. "James was my teacher my protector & the most magnificent actor," she wrote. "We're feeling his loss very deeply. He'll always be a part of me #JamesAvery."

Avery was 68 when he passed away last week, but was in his mid 40's when he starred in "Fresh Prince"...roughly the same age that Will Smith is now.

Before his passing, Avery completed filming on his last project: Zach Braff's Kickstarter-funded film "Wish I Was Here," which also stars Josh Gad, Kate Hudson and "The Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons.