Philip Banks (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
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| Philip Zeke Banks | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | The Fresh Prince Project |
| Last appearance | I Done, Part 2 |
| Portrayed by | James L. Avery, Sr. |
| Information | |
| Nickname(s) | Uncle Phil Zeke |
| Age | 44-50 |
| Date of birth | January 30, 1946, South Carolina |
| Occupation | Lawyer (1990-1992) Superior court Judge (1992-1996) |
| Family | Hilary Banks (older daughter) Carlton Banks (older son) Ashley Banks (younger daughter) Nicky Banks (younger son) Joe Banks (father) Hattie Banks (mother) Will Smith (nephew) |
| Spouse(s) | Vivian Banks (1969 - ) |
Philip Zeke Banks (January 30, 1946) is a supporting character from the television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air portrayed by James L. Avery, Sr.
[edit] Character Background
Philip Zeke Banks was born in Yamacraw, North Carolina(also said to be born in South Carolina) on January 30, 1946 to parents Joe and Hattie Joe Banks. He and his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland at age 16. In one particular episode, entitled Not with My Pig, You Don't (originally aired on October 8, 1990), it is shown that Philip was a country boy and never told the family about his secret and that he had a companion pig. When he confronts his nephew, Will, about his secret, Philip's mother, Hattie, explains to him that Philip has nothing to be ashamed of, and then is angered to tears. The next night the whole family (including Philip's parents) goes to an awards ceremony for Philip, where he then realizes his pride and fortune to have such a background and loving parents.
In 1969, Philip met his wife, Vivian Banks, and the two of them were engaged on Soul Train (revealed during a flashback on the November 7, 1994 episode). During that year, they gave birth to their first daughter and child, Hilary Banks, and on August 4, 1974, five years later, Philip and Vivian gave birth to their second child, and their first son, Carlton Banks who turned out to be very intelligent. The Banks family moved to a run-down Los Angeles neighborhood, and in 1979, the third child, Ashley Banks, was born. Philip by this time had became a wealthy lawyer, and in 1990 his nephew Will had moved in with the Banks family.
In the fall of 1992, Philip discovers that Vivian was pregnant with her fourth child, and in 1993 she gave birth to Nicholas Andrew Banks.
[edit] Superior Court Judge
In the November 16, 1992 episode Asses to Ashes, Philip's rival Judge Carl Robertson (Sherman Hemsley) had beaten him to the post of Superior Court Judge in a landslide vote. The whole Banks family went to City Hall to congratulate Carl, where Will confronted him regarding over-the-top foul play Robertson made against Philip during the campaign. Will went as far to say, "You can just drop dead." Ironically, Judge Robertson suddenly died of a massive heart attack seconds later, and after the funeral the governor appointed Philip to the post of Superior Court Judge, where he remained for the rest of the series run.
In the final series ending, Philip moves back to the East Coast with his youngest son, Nicky, and wife Vivian.
