Erick Avari (born April 13, 1952 Darjeeling, West Bengal, India) is an Indian–American actor known primarily for his roles in science-fiction serial productions, including Stargate (1994), Independence Day (1996) and The Mummy (1999).
Erick is a member of the Avari-Madan family of Darjeeling and Calcutta. His great-great-grandfather was Jamshedji Framji Madan, one of the pioneers of Indian cinema.
Avari is known for his roles in such films as The Beast (1988), Encino Man (1992), Stargate (1994), Independence Day (1996), The Mummy (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), Home Alone 4 (2002), Mr. Deeds (2002), Daredevil (2003), and Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007). He is one of only two actors, along with Alexis Cruz, to appear in both the original Stargate movie and the spin-off series Stargate SG-1 (three episodes). Before arriving in Los Angeles in 1991, his extensive work onstage garnered him praise from theater critics across America, most notably as Vasquez, in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore with Val Kilmer at the Joseph Papp Public Theater, and as Sir Richard at The Guthrie Theater's memorable production of The Screens.
He has made guest appearances on Castle, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Heroes, Hope & Faith, Law & Order, Burn Notice, Lie to Me, Party Down, Star Trek: The Next Generation, seaQuest DSV, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Enterprise, The West Wing, The X-Files, Dharma & Greg, Babylon 5, Alias, The O.C., The Sarah Silverman Program, Leverage, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Covert Affairs, and Human Target. He appeared in cameo roles in JAG; Living People; NYPD Blue; Cheers; Murder, She Wrote; Roseanne; Judging Amy; NCIS; and Everwood. In the video game Zork Grand Inquisitor, he played Grand Inquisitor Mir Yannick, a ruthless dictator who serves as the game's main villain. He also appeared in The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines.
