Overview of the Item |
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| Repository: | The HistoryMakers | |
| 1900 S. Michigan Avenue | ||
| Chicago, Illinois 60616 | ||
| (312) 674-1900 | ||
| info@thehistorymakers.com | ||
| http://www.thehistorymakers.com | ||
| Interviewer: | Julieanna Richardson | |
| Videographer: | Matthew Hickey | |
| Title: | Video Oral History Interview with James Avery | |
| Dates: | June 24, 2003 | |
| Abstract: | (ABSTRACT) | |
| Quantity: | 7 Betacam SP videocassettes, 1 half-Hollinger box containing (NUMBER) folders of accompanying materials. | |
| Identification: | A2003.138 | |
| Language: | The interviews and records are in English | |
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®
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.
Access to paper records is restricted. Other restrictions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.
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®.
Index Terms |
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| This record series is indexed under the following controlled access terms. | ||
| Contributors: | ||
| Avery, James, 1945- | ||
| Hickey, Matthew | ||
| Richardson, Julieanna | ||
| 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 | ||
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.
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.
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.