"Joseph A. Wapner, a California judge who became a widely recognized symbol of tough but fair-minded American jurisprudence during the 12 years he sat on the bench of the syndicated television show “The People’s Court,” died on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 97. His son David confirmed the death, The Associated Press said. Judge Wapner had served for 20 years on the California Municipal and Superior Courts before becoming the occasionally irascible, highly watchable star of “The People’s Court,” a daytime series on which real-life plaintiffs and defendants from California small claims courts would argue their cases before him. A decorated veteran of World War II, Judge Wapner ran his television courtroom from the show’s debut in 1981 to the end of its original run in 1993 with stern, mesmerizing discipline, cutting off onscreen complainants who displeased him and threatening to levy unspecified penalties on those who dared to interrupt him." Read more: Joseph A. Wapner, Judge on "The People's Court" dies at 97
This is a guy who should be mourned. A real and honest fella. He was a voice of reason, a man for the people. I really enjoyed his shows. They don't make guys like that anymore. Unlike that witch Judy- who usurped his role, she makes far too much. Clueless about normal folks and their costs of living.