After graduating from high school in Atlantic City, NJ, James Avery joined the Navy and served in Vietnam (1968-69). He later settled in San Diegond wrote poetry and television scripts for PBS, winning an Emmy for production. He also won a scholarship to the University of California at San Diego and received a bachelor of arts degree in drama and literature.

After working at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he moved to Los Angeles and appeared in television series, including "LA Law" "St. Elsewhere," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Brothers." His TV movie credits include "Without Warning: Terror in the Towers" and "Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die."

Avery's feature films include "Fletch," "License to Drive," "Eight Million Ways to Die" and the upcoming "The Brady Bunch Movie. Avery's hobbies include "anything to do with water," sailing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba-diving.