The People’s Court creator Stu Billett ‘surrounded by his loving family’ as he dies due to natural causes at age 85
- Stu Billett, creator of the iconic legal series The People’s Court, has died at age 85
- The veteran producer was ‘surrounded by his loving family’ when he passed, a spokesperson for the show said
- Billet and his producing partner Ralph Edwards created The People’s Court, television’s first reality court show, in 1981
- During his illustrious career, Billett would win four Daytime Emmy Awards for the program as an executive producer
Stu Billet, creator of the iconic legal series The People’s Court, has died due to natural causes at age 85.
The veteran producer was ‘surrounded by his loving family’ when he passed Friday in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for The People’s Court told The Wrap.
‘Billett was a kind and remarkable man who made a great impact on the lives of so many people, and he will be missed tremendously,’ the rep added.
Stu Billett, creator of the iconic legal series The People’s Court, has died due to natural causes at age 85
Billet and his producing partner Ralph Edwards created The People’s Court, television’s first reality court show, in 1981, with Joseph Wapner serving as judge for the first 12 seasons.
The show was cancelled in 1993, but revived in 1997 with former New York City mayor Ed Koch serving as judge for two years. Judge Judy’s husband Jerry Sheindlin later took over before departing in 2001.
The next host and star, Marilyn Milian, remains at its helm.
During his illustrious career, Billett would win four Daytime Emmy Awards for the program as an executive producer, according to The Wrap.
The next host and star, Marilyn Milian, remains at its helm
Billet and his producing partner Ralph Edwards created The People’s Court, television’s first reality court show, in 1981
Billett served in the Marines and studied at New York University before getting his start in the entertainment industry, the site added.
Billett got his start in Hollywood as a producer’s assistant on numerous shows, and worked on Johnny Carson’s show Who Do You Trust? as an associate producer.
In addition to The People’s Court, he executive produced numerous shows such as Superior Court, Love Stories, Family Medical Center, and Fractured Phrases.
He also created and wrote Moral Court, another court room show starring Larry Elder.
The spokesperson said Billet is survived by ‘his loving wife of more than 40 years along with his children and many grandchildren.’
Joseph Wapner, pictured 2009, served as judge for the first 12 seasons of The People’s Court