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WILL SMITH is guilt-stricken for failing to help his “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star James Avery conquer his weight woes, says a source.
The 6-foot-5 actor, who’d ballooned to as much as 300 pounds, died at age 68 on New Year’s Eve of complications from open heart surgery.
“Will’s devastated right now,” said a source close to Smith, 45. “He loved James just as if he was a member of his own family.”
Will posted a tribute to Avery on Facebook, saying: “Some of my greatest lessons in acting, living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery.”
“Fresh Prince” aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996, and Will’s character often needled Avery’s character, wealthy Uncle Phil, about his weight.