![Judge Wapner Dead at 97](http://townsquare.media/site/485/files/2017/02/judge-wapner.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Judge Wapner Dead at 97
Before there was Judge Judy, there was Judge Wapner. "The People's Court" paved the way for all the other courtroom reality shows. Judge Wapner was always a favorite.
Joseph Wapner died Sunday morning, February 26 in hospice care. According to TMZ.com:
He was hospitalized last week with breathing problems and his condition worsened, to the point he was taken to his West L.A. home Friday under hospice care. He died Sunday morning.
Wapner is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mickey, and two sons. His daugther, Sarah died in 2015.
More From KKRC-FM / 97.3 KKRC
![Albert Finney, Oscar Nominated Actor, Dies at 82](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2019/02/rip-albert-finney.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Walking Dead’ Star Scott Wilson Dead at 76](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2018/10/scott-wilson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![More Details Emerge Surrounding Mac Miller’s Cause of Death](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2018/09/mac-miller-autopsy-cause-of-death.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Mac Miller Dead: See His Life Through the Years (PHOTOS)](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2018/09/mac-miller-photos.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Mac Miller Dead at 26](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2018/09/mac-miller-dead.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Five Classic Burt Reynolds Movies You Can Watch on Streaming](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2018/09/burt-reynolds-smokey-bandit.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Burt Reynolds, Hollywood Icon, Has Died at 82](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2018/05/Burt-Reynolds.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Christina Grimmie’s Mother, Tina, Dies of Cancer 2 Years After Daughter’s Murder](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2018/09/christina-grimmie-mother-tina-dies.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![BREAKING: Senator John McCain Dead at 81](http://townsquare.media/site/757/files/2018/08/mccain.jpg?w=980&q=75)