Avery_James The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with James Avery
Overview of the Item Julieanna Richardson Matthew Hickey Video Oral History Interview with James Avery June 24, 2003 7 Betacam SP videocassettes, 1 half-Hollinger box containing (NUMBER) folders of accompanying materials. (ABSTRACT) A2003.138 The interviews and records are in English Biographical Note

Born on November 27, 1948, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, James Avery left his hometown after high school to serve in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He then settled in San Diego, where he wrote poetry and television scripts, winning an Emmy Award for his production of Ameda Speaks: Poet James Avery. He also received a scholarship from the University of California at San Diego, where he obtained a B.A. in drama and literature in 1978. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Virginia State University in 1996.

Since beginning his career as a writer working with a collective group in San Diego, Avery has been acting in television, film and theater for more than thirty years. His first acting part came in the role of God in the play JB in 1971 at San Diego Community College. Since then, he starred in the UPN comedy series Sparks from 1996 to 1998 and had recurring roles on theThe Legend of Tarzan, and now Showtime's Soul Food and The Division on the Lifetime Network. He is best known for his role of the uncle of Will Smith's character on the ever-popular sitcom,Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He has played roles as judges on L.A. Law, Night Court, and Murder One. His movie credits include Dancing in September, Dr. Dolittle 2 and License to Drive. Avery has performed on stage at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (where he played the lead of Othello, among other roles), at the Back Alley and Met Theatres in Los Angeles, and in other productions across the country.

Avery is a seasoned traveler, indulging his passion as host of the critically acclaimed PBS series Going Places. The program, public television's highest-rated series, enables viewers to see different places in the world through Avery's eyes. As host of this show, Avery he has had the opportunity to visit such diverse locales as Turkey, Bali, Madrid and Yellowstone National Park.

Avery is married to Barbara and has one stepson. He also supports two foster children overseas.

Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers®

 Scope and Contents

This life oral history interview with James Avery was conducted by Julieanna Richardson on 2003-06-24 in 3211 Waverly Dr., Los Angeles, Calif. and is recorded on 7 30-minute Betacam SP videocassettes. Access copies exist on Betacam SP, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1. The interview contains information on (COMPLETE ONE SENTENCE DESCRIPTION OF INTERVIEW). Accompanying materials in the collection include James Avery's correspondence with The HistoryMakers® related to the interview; a copy of the signed release form and the production report; the biographical information used by the interviewer to prepare for the interview (DETAILS); paper copies of the interview transcripts, 3 1/2" floppy disks with electronic copies of the transcripts; selected quotes for video clips; photocopies of photographs captured on video; XML files with metadata created in editing and cataloguing the interview for The HistoryMakers Digital Video Library; and paper copies of these XML files.

Accompanying Material

Accompanying materials: Accompanying materials are filed in (NUMBER) folders in a half-Hollinger box and shelved at The HistoryMakers® Archives and Collection Library by accession number, separately from the videos.

Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access terms.

Contributors: Avery, James, 1945- Richardson, Julieanna Hickey, Matthew Persons: (PERSONS) Corporate Bodies: (CORPORATE BODIES) Family Names: Avery Places: (PLACES) Subjects: (SUBJECTS) Document Types: Video oral history interview Titles: The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with James Avery Restrictions on Access

Access to paper records is restricted. Other restrictions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.

 Restrictions on Use

All use of materials must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers® and appropriate credit must be given. All use credits must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers®. Copyright is held by The HistoryMakers®.

 Location of Originals

Betacam, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1 access copies are held for in-house use at The HistoryMakers®; Betacam SP, VHS and DVD playback hardware is provided for in-house viewing of the access copies; MPEG-1 copies are searchable and viewable via a digital video database.

Preferred Citation

The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, June 24, 2003. The HistoryMakers® African American Video Oral History Collection, 1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois.

 Detailed Description/Tape Listings Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 1, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:29:58. Former star of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, James Avery shares several poignant stories from his hardscrabble childhood. Born to a single mother, and a father who denied paternity, Avery recalls his difficult early years of homelessness and poverty. His mother's decision to move to Atlantic City proved instrumental in providing a better life for her young son, James. Avery recalls in great detail the wondrous sights and sounds of his youth on the Atlantic seashore. Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 2, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:29:30. Actor James Avery continues with his description of his childhood in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He discusses his education and battles with accusations of acting white. Avery notes he was an underachiever, but didn't allow those labels to stop him from completing his education. Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 3, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:31:18. Television actor James Avery describes his rebellious nature as a teen, which led him to confrontations with others while in high school and college. Frustrated by his relationship with his mother, Avery joined the Navy during the height of the Vietnam War. He discusses his involvement in several covert operations near Laos and Cambodia and efforts during the infamous Tet Offensive in 1968. After serving his 4 years, Avery enrolls in the University of California, San Diego and details the changes the war made in him. Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 4, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:31:42. Actor James Avery details his life as a young stage actor then later as a television character actor. Classically trained in England and a member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Avery felt stifled by the limitation of the acting troupe and decided to give Hollywood a try. Avery was fortunate to find steady work on a number of popular series--LA Law, Simon & Simon, Hill Street Blues among others. Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 5, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:30:26. Actor James Avery describes his life as a black actor in search ofroles with dignity and meaning. While in a network sitcom, by chance Avery auditioned for the role of the father and butler for an up and coming rapper, Will Smith. After telling this impertinent young man who had his feet on the table to sit up and remove his feet, Avery landed the role of the imperious but loving Uncle Phil on the NBC sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 6, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:29:00. Actor James Avery shares some of his disappointments in his acting carreer. He details the political machinations at UPN which led to the demise of his well rated show, 'Sparks'. Avery also discusses issues of race, which pervade the television industry in terms of casting, and the creation of television situation comedies or 'sitcoms'. Video Oral History Interview with James Avery, Tape 7, June 24, 2003, TRT: 00:19:20. Actor James Avery shares his thoughts on acting, blacks in Hollywood and his mother's acceptance of his acting career. The segment closes with several photos from Avery's personal collection.