James L. Avery, Sr. (born November 27, 1948) is an American actor best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney (later judge) Philip Banks in the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, whom Will Smith's character affectionately called "Uncle Phil". This character was ranked #34 in TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time". He also provided the voice of Shredder in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series, as well as War Machine in the animated series Spider-Man. He also played Michael Kelso's officer at the police academy late in the series run of the popular sitcom That '70s Show.