Joseph Wapner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Wapner
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| Born |
Joseph Albert Wapner
November 15, 1919 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | February 26, 2017 (aged 97) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles |
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| Years active | 1959–2010 |
| Known for | The People's Court |
| Spouse(s) |
Mildred Nebenzahl
(m. 1946) |
| Children | 3 |
Joseph Albert Wapner (born November 15, 1919 – died February 26, 2017) was an American judge and a well-known TV personality. He is most famous for being the first judge on the popular TV show The People's Court. This show was one of the first "reality court" programs.
Judge Wapner was the only judge during the show's first run, which lasted from 1981 to 1993. He appeared in 2,484 episodes over 12 seasons. His time on the show helped create a new type of TV program where real-life small claims cases were settled on television. This style of court show became very popular and is still seen today.
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Early Life and Education
Joseph Albert Wapner was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 15, 1919. His parents were Jewish immigrants; his father was from Romania and his mother from Russia. Joseph had a younger sister named Irene.
He went to Hollywood High School. Later, he studied at the University of Southern California and then at the USC Gould School of Law.
Between his university studies, Wapner served in World War II. He fought in the South Pacific, specifically in Cebu Province. He was honored for his service, receiving the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army as a lieutenant.
Legal Career Before TV
After finishing law school, Joseph Wapner worked as a private attorney for ten years.
In 1959, the Governor of California, Pat Brown, appointed him as a judge to the Los Angeles Municipal Court. After two years, he moved up to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He served there for 18 years. During his time on the Superior Court, he was the presiding judge in 1969 and 1970. He also led the California Judges Association from 1975 to 1976. He retired from the court in 1979.
Becoming a TV Judge on The People's Court
Joseph Wapner became the very first judge to preside over the TV show The People's Court. His time on the show lasted from 1981 to 1993. In total, he filmed 2,340 half-hour episodes.
On the show, Judge Wapner handled real-life disputes between people. These cases were like those heard in a small claims court, where people argue their side without lawyers. His decisions were binding, meaning both sides had to accept them. The show's huge popularity led to many other similar courtroom programs, like Judge Judy and Hot Bench.
After 12 successful seasons, The People's Court decided not to bring Judge Wapner back in 1993. The show's ratings had dropped. After a break, The People's Court returned to TV in 1997 with new judges, and it is still on the air today. Judge Wapner later said that the show's producers did not want to hurt his feelings, but he felt they did. He never watched the show after it was revamped.
On November 12, 2009, Judge Wapner received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. He and Judge Judith Sheindlin (from Judge Judy) were the only TV judges to have this honor at that time.
To celebrate his 90th birthday, Judge Wapner made a special one-time return to The People's Court on November 13, 2009. He served as a guest judge for a case during the time when Marilyn Milian was the show's judge.
For many years, Judge Wapner held the record for being the longest-serving judge on The People's Court. However, in 2013, Judge Marilyn Milian took over this title.
Other TV Appearances and Projects
Five years after leaving The People's Court, Judge Wapner returned to TV. He hosted a spin-off show called Judge Wapner's Animal Court. This show aired on Animal Planet for two seasons, from 1998 to 2000.
Judge Wapner also wrote a book called A View from the Bench, which was published in 1987.
He appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1986. He heard a funny case between David Letterman and Johnny Carson about a damaged truck headlight. Judge Wapner ruled in favor of David Letterman.
In 1995, he appeared in an episode of the TV series Sliders. He played a different version of himself, a "Commissar" in a "People's Court" in a fictional Soviet-controlled California.
Endorsements and Fun Facts
From 1999 to 2000, Judge Wapner was the national spokesperson for Singer Asset Finance Company. He appeared in their TV commercials and print ads.
Around 2010, a soda company called Rocket Fizz started selling "Judge Wapner Cream Soda." The drink's slogan was, "I sentence you to drink my cream soda."
Family and Later Life
Joseph Wapner was very involved in Jewish community activities. He served on the board of a Jewish school. He married Mildred "Mickey" Nebenzahl in 1946. They had three children. Their daughter, Sarah, passed away in 2015 at age 56. Their two sons, David and Frederick, both became attorneys. Frederick Nathan Wapner also became a judge, serving on the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Judge Wapner also had four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Judge Wapner passed away on February 26, 2017, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 97 years old. He died from respiratory failure, which means his lungs stopped working properly. He is buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
