Joseph Wapner

Date of Birth: November 15, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: February 26, 2017

Biography

Joseph Albert Wapner was an American judge and television personality, best known for being the first presiding judge of the reality court show “The People’s Court.” Born in Los Angeles, California, Wapner served in World War II before attending the University of Southern California for both his undergraduate and law degrees. He practiced law for several years before being appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1959 and then to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 1961, where he served until his retirement in 1979. Wapner became a household name when he joined “The People’s Court” in 1981, a groundbreaking show that brought real small claims court cases to television. His no-nonsense demeanor and fair judgments won him fans across the nation. He presided over the show until 1993. Post-“The People’s Court,” Wapner continued to make guest appearances on various television shows and remained a respected figure in the legal community until his death in 2017.

5 Interesting Facts about Joseph Wapner

1. Joseph Wapner served in World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

2. He was a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) for both his undergraduate and law degrees.

3. Wapner was the first judge to preside over “The People’s Court,” making him one of the first reality TV judges.

4. He served as a judge for 18 years before retiring from the Los Angeles Superior Court in 1979.

5. Wapner was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2009.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joseph Wapner

1. “If you want to be a judge, you’ve got to be fair. You have to be able to listen, and you have to be able to make decisions.”

2. “The rule of law is the foundation of any democracy.”

3. “Television gave me a chance to show people that the courts are a place where they can get justice.”

4. “I believe in the justice system. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we have.”

5. “Everyone deserves their day in court.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Joseph Wapner’s highest net worth was estimated to be approximately $15 million.

Children

Joseph Wapner had three children: two sons, David Miron-Wapner and Fred Wapner, and one daughter, Sarah Wapner. Fred Wapner followed in his father’s footsteps and became a judge.