WORLD
Wapner's son, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Fred Wapner, told CNN his father died at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes.
Joseph Wapner, the former real-life judge who presided over "The People's Court" on reality television with a Solomonic presence that made him one of the best-known legal figures in the United States, died on Sunday at the age of 97, news reports said.
Wapner's son, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Fred Wapner, told CNN his father died at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes. A grandson, Gabriel Wapner, confirmed the death to the Washington Post, which said Wapner had suffered several strokes in recent years.
From 1981 through 1993, Wapner served as an arbitrator on "The People's Court," resolving disputes that were usually trivial, with both parties in the litigation agreeing to abide by his ruling.
Wapner handled two cases on each half-hour show, ruling with a commanding demeanor and basing decisions on his three decades as a lawyer and judge. He was stiff but sometimes showed a dry wit.
The show made Wapner an unlikely judicial superstar and pop culture touchstone and its catchphrase - "Don't take the law into your own hands: you take 'em to court, the People's Court" - worked its way into daily conversations.
Wapner was spoofed on comedy shows, suggested for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court and became a key element of Dustin Hoffman's Academy Award-winning portrayal of an autistic savant in the 1988 movie "Rain Man."
Hoffman's character was obsessed with watching "The People's Court," reciting the show's introduction and counting down the minutes until Wapner was on the air.
In a 1989 survey by the Washington Post, 54 percent of respondents were familiar with Wapner, but only 9 percent could identify William Rehnquist as U.S. chief justice.
CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT
"The People's Court" was the brainchild of two game-show mavens and they asked Wapner if he would be interested in coming out of retirement to preside.
The show fared well as a syndicated series, airing on more than 160 U.S. television stations in the 1980s and in 20 foreign countries.
The show's staff looked through pending small-claims cases to find people willing to resolve their disputes on the show rather than in a real court. Many cases were ordinary - overdue rent, damage to a car or a broken oral contract - but others were unique. That is how a stripper ended up before Wapner complaining that attendees at a bachelor's party refused to pay because they thought she was unattractive.
The show's producers paid any damages or costs that Wapner might levy.
Wapner was dropped from the show in 1993 and a new version of "The People's Court" made its debut in 1997 with Ed Koch, the former New York mayor, on the bench. He was replaced two years later by Jerry Sheindlin, the husband of Judy Sheindlin, star of the similar "Judge Judy" show.
Wapner found Sheindlin's acerbic style to be not very judicial.
"She's discourteous and she's abrasive," Wapner told the New York Post in 1992. "She's not slightly insulting. She's insulting in capital letters."
Wapner was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Los Angeles and attended Hollywood High School, where he dated classmate and future movie star Lana Turner.
After majoring in philosophy at the University of Southern California, he joined the Army, serving as a lieutenant in the Pacific theater during World War Two. He was awarded a Purple Heart and given a Bronze Star for pulling a wounded soldier out of machine-gun fire.
After the war, Wapner graduated from the USC law school and went into practice with his father. In 1959, he was appointed to a municipal court that handled traffic and small-claims cases and was named two years later to California's Superior Court, handling criminal and civil cases, until he retired from the bench in 1979.
After his run on "The People's Court," Wapner appeared on "Animal Court" for the Animal Planet cable channel, presiding over cases involving animals.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
'This is pathetic, disgusting': Nia Sharma faces backlash for promoting 'vagina tightening' tablets
Big move by Gautam Adani: Ambuja Cements to acquire this cement brand for Rs 8100 crore
Why US Presidential Election is always held on first Tuesday in November?
'Perfect for him': Aamir Khan in talks to play Kishore Kumar in Anurag Basu's film; fans react
After calling Prabhas a 'joker', Arshad Warsi says 'everyone is allowed to...'
BRICS Summit Prelude: India and China move to defuse border tensions
Sakshi Malik’s BIG claim, says BJP's Babita Phogat wanted to be WFI chief, encouraged wrestlers to…
India launches its 4th nuclear-powered submarine, set to play major role in…
Uttar Pradesh: 6 killed in oxygen cylinder blast in Bulandshahr house
Why Kriti Sanon used to be called 'Tiger didi'? Actress reveals reason
'Zyada Hero Ban Raha Hai': Rohit Sharma's chat with teammate caught on stump mic, video goes viral
Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary share FIRST photo of their daughter
Delhi AQI October 22: Air quality in ‘very poor’ category, Centre imposes GRAP Stage II from today
Man who threatened Salman Khan, demanded Rs 5 crore, issues apology: 'It was...'
Karni Sena announces Rs 1,11,11,111 for any police officer who kills Lawrence Bishnoi
US Presidential Elections 2024: Republican Donald Trump sued for defamation by Central Park Five
‘Will be able to…’: EAM S Jaishankar explains India, China patrolling deal along LAC
'Even double standards are...': Jaishankar's big attack on Canada amid diplomatic row
Hyundai Motor India IPO listing today: All you need to know about largest-ever IPO in India
Diwali Gift: THIS company gave Tata, Maruti cars to its employees ahead of festival, they cost Rs…
IMD issues alerts as Cyclone Dana approaches, heavy rainfall predicted for these states
RSMSSB Rajasthan CET 12th-level exam starts today, check guidelines here
DNA TV Show: Terror threat in Delhi after Rohini blast? Police tighten security ahead of Diwali
Taylor Swift suffers wardrobe malfunction on stage during her Miami concert, video goes viral
Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead India A squad for Australia tour; Ishan Kishan in, Shreyas Iyer misses out
THIS was going to be Aishwarya Rai's first film in Hindi but it didn't release because...
Meet woman, born in Pakistan, attempted suicide at 22, now leads Rs 1 lakh crore company, she is...
IPL 2025: This star overseas player likely to be KKR's top retention over captain Shreyas Iyer
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato clarifies on 'Continue', says 'Not venturing into...'
This company paid Rs 1328 crore tax to move its headquarters to India from US, it works in...
Meet man who works in Rs 1617003 crore company, now set to lead Walt Disney as...
Tata Group set to construct landmark building to honour Ratan Tata in...
Kagiso Rabada achieves massive feat, becomes first cricketer in the world to...
Elon Musk is offering over Rs 5000 per hour for THIS job, it requires you to be...
Steps To Select The Best Term Insurance With a Term Plan Calculator
IRIS Home Fragrances Introduces a Fresh New Range of Four Exquisite Diwali Gift Sets
Mukesh Ambani's next BIG step, set to challenge Elon Musk in…
Vasan Bala breaks his silence on Jigra's box office failure: 'Alia Bhatt could have...'
Meet man who began his career with Tata Motors, now runs Rs 2690 crore company, married to...
'Ye ek PR activity...': Flying Beast breaks silence on divorce rumours with wife Ritu Rathee
Mohammed Shami gives massive injury update ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, says, ‘my fitness is…’
'Quit if you don't want to return...': Amazon AWS CEO Matt Garman warns staff
Indian Railways announces rescheduling, regulation, and restoration of trains due to...
How can Rohit Sharma-led India qualify for WTC final after losing against New Zealand in 1st Test?
Beyond Rumors: Adichunchanagiri Mutt's enduring contributions to Karnataka and beyond
Setback for Anil Ambani's company, NCLT dismisses plea to block use of...
India, China reach agreement on patrolling arrangements along LAC ahead of BRICS Summit
Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2025? CSK CEO gives major update, says...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal sets up new company with an eye to expand in...
'Want to put culprits on no-fly list': Aviation Minister on amending safety rules amid hoax calls
When is Ahoi Ashtami in 2024? Check date, subh muhurat, significance of this sacred fast
Bullet train update: India's fastest train to launch soon, top speed to be...