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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air character guide

Who is Philip Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

Will's stern, successful Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a powerful Los Angeles lawyer turned judge who becomes the father figure Will never had.

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Show
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Debut
1990
Network
NBC
Role
Main
Gender
Male

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Show
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Played by
James Avery
First episode
“The Fresh Prince Project”Season 1, Episode 1, aired September 10, 1990
Role
Main cast
Network
NBC
Occupation
Lawyer, then Superior Court judge
Show run
1990 to 1996
Also known as
Uncle Phil, Phil Banks, Judge Banks

Philip Banks, better known as Uncle Phil, is the imposing head of the Bel-Air household who takes in his wife's nephew from West Philadelphia. Played by James Avery, he is the show's booming authority figure and, more and more, its moral center.

On The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Philip Banks's story runs through Vivian Banks (Wife), Will Smith (Nephew), Carlton Banks (Son), Hilary Banks (Daughter), Ashley Banks (Daughter), and Geoffrey (Butler).

Philip Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Philip Banks?

Philip is Vivian's husband and the father of Hilary, Carlton, Ashley, and, from season three, baby Nicky. He is a high-powered attorney at the firm Firth, Wynn & Meyer when the show begins, and in season three he runs for Superior Court judge and is appointed to the bench.

Despite the mansion and the butler, Phil did not grow up rich. The show makes a point of his farm childhood and his younger, more radical days, and he often reminds Will and his own kids that he worked hard for everything they now take for granted.

Personality and comedy

Uncle Phil is proud, formal, and quick to anger, and Will's antics give him plenty of reasons to bellow. A lot of the show's comedy comes from that collision: the street-smart nephew poking holes in the dignified judge, and the judge refusing to let him get away with it. Will's insults lean heavily on Uncle Phil's appetite and weight.

Avery plays him with real warmth under the bluster. Phil is fiercely protective of his family, and when Will is in genuine trouble, he is the first one there. Their relationship slowly shifts from uncle and nuisance to father and son.

Key storylines

Early episodes test Phil's patience and his pride. He has to own up to his barnyard roots when Will spills stories about his childhood farm to a reporter, and he rescues Will from a pool hustler by winning back the family car at the table. In season three, his campaign for judge suffers after Will makes a scene at a press conference, but after his opponent, Judge Robertson, suddenly dies, the governor appoints Phil to the Superior Court.

In season four, Phil survives a heart attack, and he is there for Will when Will's father, Lou, abandons him a second time. That scene, with Phil holding his heartbroken nephew, is often called the defining moment of their relationship. In season six he and Vivian briefly separate before the kids help reunite them, and in the finale they sell the house and move to New York.

Behind the scenes and legacy

James Avery played Philip Banks for all six seasons. Avery was also well known as the voice of Shredder in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.

TV Guide ranked Philip Banks among its 50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time. Avery died in 2013, and the 2020 cast reunion paid tribute to him and to the character who anchored the show.

Key Philip Banks episodes

  1. “The Fresh Prince Project”Season 1, Episode 1Phil welcomes his nephew to Bel-Air and immediately butts heads with him.
  2. “Not with My Pig, You Don't”Season 1, Episode 4Will's stories about Phil's farm childhood reach the press, and Phil embraces his roots in his speech.
  3. “Banks Shot”Season 1, Episode 22Phil plays dumb at a pool hall, then breaks out his old cue, Lucille, to win back the family car.
  4. “Asses to Ashes”Season 3, Episode 10After his election rival, Judge Robertson, dies, Phil is appointed a Superior Court judge.
  5. “Home Is Where the Heart Attack Is”Season 4, Episode 10Phil suffers a heart attack, shaking up the whole family.
  6. “Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse”Season 4, Episode 24Phil comforts Will after Will's father abandons him again.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

Philip Banks: frequently asked questions

Who plays Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

James Avery plays Philip Banks in all six seasons. He died in 2013, and the cast honored him at their 2020 reunion.

What is Uncle Phil's job?

Phil starts the series as a high-powered lawyer and becomes a Superior Court judge in season three.

Does Uncle Phil have a heart attack?

Yes. Phil has a heart attack in "Home Is Where the Heart Attack Is," season four, episode 10, and recovers.

What happens to Uncle Phil at the end of the show?

In the series finale, Phil and Vivian sell the Bel-Air house and move to New York with their youngest son, Nicky.

Test yourself: Philip Banks quiz

5 questions about Philip Banks. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

  1. Question 1

    Which of Will's friends keeps getting thrown out of the Banks mansion?

    1. Trevor
    2. Dana
    3. Jazz
    4. Ice Tray
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Jazz

    Played by Will Smith's real music partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jazz sailing out the front door courtesy of Uncle Phil became one of the show's signature gags.

    See question 4 in the full quiz

  2. Question 2

    What is Uncle Phil's profession when the series begins?

    1. Lawyer
    2. Doctor
    3. Banker
    4. College professor
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Lawyer

    Phil is a self-made, Harvard-trained attorney when Will arrives, and in season three he leaves private practice behind when he is appointed a judge.

    See question 6 in the full quiz

  3. Question 3

    What position is Philip appointed to in the season three episode "Asses to Ashes"?

    1. District attorney
    2. Superior Court judge
    3. Mayor of Bel-Air
    4. State senator
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Superior Court judge

    Phil had been campaigning against his rival, Judge Robertson, and after Robertson dies the governor calls to give Phil the seat.

    See question 8 in the full quiz

  4. Question 4

    What name do Philip and Vivian give the baby born in "The Baby Comes Out"?

    1. Phillip Jr.
    2. Nicholas
    3. Rufus
    4. Elton
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Nicholas

    The family tosses around joke names like Shazam and Rufus before settling on Nicholas, better known as Nicky.

    See question 10 in the full quiz

  5. Question 5

    In "Banks Shot," what is the name of the pool cue Philip uses to win the car back from a hustler?

    1. Betsy
    2. Lucille
    3. Josephine
    4. Big Bertha
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Lucille

    Geoffrey hands over the cue, and Phil, who pretended he had never played, runs the table for $100 a ball.

    See question 15 in the full quiz

Take the full The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air quiz (20 questions)

Sources and corrections

Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.

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