Smiling through the heartbreak: Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro eats out with wife as he mourns 'second father' James Avery

By Mike Larkin

PUBLISHED: 03:41 EST, 3 January 2014 | UPDATED: 12:34 EST, 3 January 2014

He is mourning the death of his 'second father' James Avery.

And Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro was smiling through the heartbreak as he went for a meal with his wife in Beverly Hills on Thursday.

The actor succeeded on putting on a brave face as he treated his glamorous other half Angela to a meal at celebrity hangout Mr Chow.

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Putting on a brave face: Alfonso Ribeiro smiled as he headed to dinner with his wife Angela in Los Angeles on Thursday

Putting on a brave face: Alfonso Ribeiro smiled as he headed to dinner with his wife Angela in Los Angeles on Thursday

The 42-year-old was looking smart in a black shirt, denims and shiny leather shoes as he headed into the upmarket eatery.

His wife, who he married in 2012, had also dressed for the occasion in a cardigan, white top, jeans and boots.

Alfonso was left shaken when he discovered his on-screen father, who played lovable lawyer Phillip Banks on the smash hit show which launched Will Smith's acting career, died in a Los Angeles hospital on New Year's Eve from complications following open heart surgery.

In a moving Tweet, he wrote on Wednesday: 'I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.'

Fond memories: Perhaps the actor was remember one of the many moments he spent with James Avery

Fond memories: Perhaps the actor was remember one of the many moments he spent with James Avery

Giving her a treat: He brought his wife Angela to the posh Mr Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills

Giving her a treat: He brought his wife Angela to the posh Mr Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills

The mask slips: However he was struggling to stay upbeat following the death of his 'second father'

The mask slips: However he was struggling to stay upbeat following the death of his 'second father'

Versatile actor James, 68, played Uncle Phil to Will Smith's Philly newcomer in the beloved show from 1990 to 1996 and worked on a number of TV and film projects up until he fell ill this year.

Avery, who also suffered from diabetes, had recently undergone surgery for an undisclosed illness and took a turn for the worse late on Tuesday.

They added that his wife of 15 years, Barbara, had briefly left his bedside to get food when he passed away.

His mother Florence Avery said: 'It breaks my heart. My child was a great person who helped anyone he could. He was really just a nice person whose great passion in life was reading.'

Redoubling his efforts: He gave another faint smile as he headed in for his slap-up meal

Redoubling his efforts: He gave another faint smile as he headed in for his slap-up meal

Carlton and the Big Guy: Alfosno played James Avery's son in classic sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air

Carlton and the Big Guy: Alfosno played James Avery's son in classic sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air

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Dont look like his aged one bit! so sad to hear Phil&Jeffery; died :( R.I.P two great souls <3

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WILLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !!!! classic line from the past...................R.I.P you were & are loved by millions

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he dont look sad

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Carlton I have two words for you: TOM JONES........ RIP UNCLE PHIL

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He looks fine to me hardly wailing on the gound dm

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Notice Will Smith has made NO COMMENT only his wife did that's because the whole cast fell out and he was a nightmare to work with they even refused to attend a reunion because of Will.

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I love the episode where Will edits Uncle Phil's campaign video... 'I'll take a real BITE out of Crime! B-B-B-Bite!' Too funny. R.I.P James Avery, such a big part of my childhood.

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So nice to see a Hollywood actor with a 'normal' wife who dresses appropriately for a meal at a restaurant. I swear some of these celebs turn up to Mr Chow in couture and diamonds! She looks sweet and down to earth.

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This article is seriously just that a man and his wife went for a meal? Pointless. However, RIP James Avery, will always be remembered as a warm, talented and funny actor. And condolences to Alfonso in his grief, seems a nice guy and was also great as Carlton Banks

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Give people some privacy!

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