‘Fresh Prince’ Dad James Avery Dies! Dead At 68.

James Avery — the beloved dad on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” — has died at age 68 … TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the actor tell TMZ he died in a Glendale, CA hospital last night. Avery had undergone open heart surgery and took a turn for the worse late yesterday.

And we’re told … his wife, Barbara, had been at his bedside but left for a short period of time and when she came back … she learned he had just died.

Alfonso Ribeiro — who played Avery’s son on “Fresh Prince” — just posted a message on his Facebook page.

Avery starred in dozens of TV shows through the years — shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Closer,” “L.A. Law,” and “The Jeffersons.”  This past year, he appeared in three TV movies — most recently, “Go, Bolivia, Go!” — but didn’t appear to have other projects in the works.

Avery reunited with most of his “Fresh Prince” cast — including Will Smith —  two years ago at a charity event.