The judge who presided over TV’s “The People’s Court” has died at the age of 97.
Retired Judge Joseph Wapner decided real small-claims cases on the show between 1981 and 1993. Wapner’s affable, no-nonsense, approach help put “The People’s Court” in the top five in syndication at its peak.
Judge Wapner was hospitalized a week ago with breathing problems and had been under home hospice care.