Ten Minutes to Wapner! 'People's Court' Judge to Return for His 90th Birthday

He was the face of the daytime staple 'The People's Court' from its premiere in 1981 to 1993, and he's dusting off his gavel and robes for one more episode. The currently presiding judge of 'The People's Court, Marilyn Milian, will relinquish the bench to Judge Joseph A. Wapner on Friday, Nov. 13, as he hands down one more ruling in honor of his 90th birthday.

Wapner, who served on the bench for the LA County Superior Court for 18 years before retiring and dispensing justice on TV, was the first judge in a pantheon of notables who ruled on the long-running small claims court TV show, including Ed Koch from 1997 to 1999, Jerry Sheindlin from 1999 to 2001, and presently Milian.He was the face of the daytime staple 'The People's Court' from its premiere in 1981 to 1993, and he's dusting off his gavel and robes for one more episode. The currently presiding judge of 'The People's Court, Marilyn Milian, will relinquish the bench to Judge Joseph A. Wapner on Friday, Nov. 13, as he hands down one more ruling in honor of his 90th birthday.

Wapner, who served on the bench for the LA County Superior Court for 18 years before retiring and dispensing justice on TV, was the first judge in a pantheon of notables who ruled on the long-running small claims court TV show, including Ed Koch from 1997 to 1999, Jerry Sheindlin from 1999 to 2001, and presently Milian.

Although best known as a gavel-pounding TV judge, Hizzoner Wapner also has the distinction of being a decorated World War II vet, and dated actress Lana Turner while attending Hollywood High School.

Never one to shy away from expressing his opinion, Wapner has been critical of the popular Judge Judith Sheindlin (aka 'Judge Judy') in the past, stating, "She is not portraying a judge as I view a judge should act. She's discourteous, and she's abrasive. She's not slightly insulting -- she's insulting in capital letters." The judge has spoken.