Wapner's show was ground-breaking at the time, bringing court proceedings to daytime television. It debuted in 1981.
Judge Joseph Wapner, former host of the television series "The People's Court" left, is praised by attorney Harvey Levin, right, who worked with Wapner on the show.AP
Retired Judge Joseph A. Wapner of TVs The Peoples Court congratulates his son, Judge Frederick N. Wapner as he was enrobed as a Municipal Court judge on Friday, Oct. 13, 1989.AP
Retired Judge Joseph A. Wapner of TV's "The Peoples Court" congratulates his son, Judge Frederick N. Wapner as he was enrobed as a Municipal Court judge on Friday, Oct. 13, 1989.AP
Joseph Wapner, star of television show "People's Court" on Oct. 22, 1986. (AP Photo/Galbraith)AP
Judge Joseph Wapner, former host of the television series "The People's Court" left,, poses with attorney Harvey Levin, right, who worked with Wapner on the show before Wapner.AP
Judge Joseph Wapner, former host of the television series "The People's Court" left, poses with the current host of the show Judge Marilyn Milian.AP
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It would open the floodgates of television shows to feature courtrooms. That trend continues today with no fewer that four that are currently in production, some nearly 35 years later.
Wapner was an actual judge before moving to television. His son would also become a judge, serving on the bench. Frederick N. Wapner enrobed as a Municipal Court judge in Los Angeles in 1989.
IN MEMORIAM: Celebrities and notable figures who have recently passed away
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Author Judith Krantz poses in an undated file photo during an interview at her home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles.AP
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Edith González is see in an undated file photo.KABC
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Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, shown here in 1986, died on May 27, 2019 after a battle with dementia. He was 69.none
Ashley Massaro, a WWE star who also competed on ''Survivor,'' has died at age 39.none
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Peggy Lipton, an actress known for her roles on 'The Mod Squad'' and ''Twin Peaks,'' died May 11, 2019, at age 72.none
Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca in Star Wars for decades, died April 30, 2019, in his North Texas home, according to family members.AP
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Dick Dale, known as "The King of the Surf Guitar," has died at age 81. His former bassist Sam Bolle said Dale passed away Saturday night, March 16, 2019.AP
Professional boxer Freeda Foreman, shown here in 2000, died March 9, 2019 at age 42. She is survived by her father, iconic boxer George Foreman.none
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Actor Luke Perry, known for shows like 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Riverdale,' passed away just days after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52.none
Keith Flint, known as the lead singer of dance-electronic band The Prodigy, has been found dead at his home at age 49.none
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Former U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress in American history, died Feb. 7, 2019, at age 92.none
Kristoff St. John, who played Neil Winters on ''The Young and the Restless,'' has died at age 52.none
Singer James Ingram seen at a benefit gala on Dec. 12, 2013 on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles.AP
Carol Channing is shown in 1967 (left) and 2007 (right). The Broadway legend passed away on Jan. 15, 2019 at age 97, her publicist said.none
Daryl Dragon, of the married musical duo Captain & Tennille, died Jan. 2, 2019 at age 76.AP
Bob Einstein, a comedy writer known for ''Curb Your Enthusiasm" and his spoof daredevil character Super Dave Osborne, has died at age 76.AP
''Mean'' Gene Okerlund, a WWE Hall of Famer who became one of the most recognizable voices in pro wrestling, died at age 76, WWE confirmed.none
Penny Marshall, a director known for films like ''Big'' and ''A League of Their Own,'' died on Dec. 17, 2018. She was 75.AP
Singer Nancy Wilson - pictured at a Grammy Foundation event in Los Angeles on July 28, 2007 - has died at age 81.AP
Actress/director Sondra Locke died Nov. 3, 2018, at age 74. The Oscar-nominated actress was best known for her films with Clint Eastwood, with whom she had a 13-year relationship.none
Luis Valbuena, a former MLB player who competed for 11 seasons, died in a car crash in Venezuela at age 33.none
Jose Castillo, a former MLB player who played from 2004 and 2008, died in a car crash in Venezuela at age 37.none
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Oscar-winning Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci died on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at age 77.none
Kim Porter, a model known for her longtime relationship with Sean P. Diddy Combs, died Nov. 15 at age 47.none
Roy Clark, a country star known for headlining the TV show ''Hee Haw,'' died on Nov. 15 at age 85.none
Comic book legend Stan Lee has died at age 95.none
San Francisco Giants legend and hall of famer Willie McCovey passed away Oct. 31, the team announced. McCovey battled ongoing health issues, according to the team. He was 80.AP
Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger, one of the FBI's most wanted criminals for 16 years until his 2011 arrest, died at age 89 in prison, the Department of Justice confirmed.none
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Veteran actor Scott Wilson dies at 76 years old. Nydia Han reports during Action News at 6 a.m. on October 7, 2018.none
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none
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Carl Kasell, longtime NPR broadcaster known for ''Morning Edition'' and ''Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!'' died at age 84 on April 17, 2018.none
Actor Harry Anderson (pictured in 1990) was found dead on April 16, 2018 at age 65. He was best known for the comedy series ''Night Court.''none
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Yvonne Staples of the family gospel group Staples Singers died at age 80.none
Winnie Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist who was married to the late South African President Nelson Mandela, has died.none
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Toys "R" us founder Charles Lazarus poses for a photograph in 1990.none
Frank Avruch, a TV personality known for playing Bozo the Clown, died at 89 at his Boston home from heart disease.none
File: Queen Latifah, left, and her mother Rita Owens attend VH1's ''Dear Mama'' Mother's Day Special taping at St. Bartholomew's Church in New Yorknone
British physicist Stephen Hawking attends the 2010 World Science Festival opening night gala performance at Alice Tully Hall on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan)none
Rapper Craig Mack (shown above in 2004) died March 12, 2018 at age 46. The rapper was best known for his platinum 1994 hit ''Flava in Ya Ear.''none
Evangelist Billy Graham has died at age 99, ABC News confirmed.none
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John Mahoney, known for his role as Martin Crane on “Frasier,” died on Feb. 5, 2018, at the age of 77.none
Dennis Edwards attends the 26th Annual Heroes and Legends Awards held at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Beverly Hills.AP
Former 'Glee' star Mark Salling, who had been awaiting sentencing on child porn charges, died in Los Angeles area, his attorney confirmed to the Associated Press.none
Naomi Parker Fraley (shown left in 1942) was believed to be the inspiration for the Rosie the Riveter campaign. She died Jan. 20, 2018 at age 96.none
Edwin Hawkins, the gospel singer best known for ''Oh Happy Day,'' died Jan. 15, 2018 from pancreatic cancer. He was 74.none
Dolores O'Riordan, the frontwoman of Irish softrock group Cranberries, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at age 46. The cause of death wasn't immediately available.none
Keith Jackson arrives at 66th Annual DGA Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles, Calif.AP
Photo of MOTORHEAD; 'Fast' Eddie Clarke performing on stage at the Electric CircusCreative Content
Jerry Van Dyke appears on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' Dec. 1, 1964.none
NASA astronaut John Young flew twice to the Moon, walked on its surface and flew the agency's first Space Shuttle mission. NASA announced his death at the age of 87 on Jan. 6.none
Mystery writer Sue Grafton, known for her series in which each book title begins with a letter from the alphabet, died on December 28, 2017.AP
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