The Peoples Court judge Joseph Wapner dead at 97
Wapner started on the show in 1981 and left in 1993.
He changed the way people went to court by presiding on television. Joseph Wapner the judge on "The People's Court" has died.
The show debuted in September 1981 as some would say the first TV reality show. It opened the doors to a slew of other TV court shows.
Wapner heard thousands of cases during his 12-year run.
Before putting on the robe on TV Wapner served as an L.A. County Superior Court judge for 20 years.
TMZ reports Wapner was hospitalized last week with breathing problems. He died Sunday morning.
Judge Wapner was married to wife Mickey for 70 years. He had 3 children.
Joseph Wapner was 97.