Is Scott Wapner Related To Judge Wapner

So, you've been watching CNBC's Closing Bell, huh? Ever found yourself wondering, "Hey, is that Scott Wapner guy related to Judge Wapner from The People's Court?" I mean, they've both got that no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners vibe, right?

Well, grab your coffee, 'cause we're about to dive into this fascinating family tree. Spoiler alert: it's not as straightforward as you'd think.

First things first: The Wapner Clan

Alright, so let's start with the basics. Judge Joseph Wapner, the original TV judge, was born in 1919. He's got a pretty impressive resume - served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, became a judge in California, and then became a household name in the '80s and '90s with his TV show.

Now, Scott Wapner, our CNBC guy, was born in 1972. He's a journalist, an anchor, and a host of CNBC's Closing Bell. He's also the son of Ellen Wapner, who just happens to be Judge Wapner's daughter.

So, are they related?

Here's where it gets a little tricky. Scott Wapner is indeed Judge Wapner's grandson. But here's the thing: they don't share the same last name. Confused yet? Let me explain.

Ellen, Judge Wapner's daughter, married Michael Wapner. However, Michael later changed his last name to Stern. So, Ellen and her siblings kept the Wapner name, but Scott and his siblings took their mom's maiden name, Stern.

Now, you might be thinking, "Wait a minute, I've seen Scott Wapner use Wapner on his Twitter handle!" Well, spotted! In 2017, Scott legally changed his last name back to Wapner. So, officially, he's Scott Wapner, Judge Wapner's grandson.

How Judge Wapner Launched the Phenomenon of Court Shows on Modern TV

But wait, there's more!

Here's where things get even more interesting. Remember Judge Wapner's TV show, The People's Court? Well, Scott Wapner actually worked as a production assistant on the show back in the '90s. Talk about a full-circle moment!

And if you're wondering if Scott and Judge Wapner are close, the answer is yes. Scott has spoken openly about his grandfather's influence on his career and his life. Aww, isn't that sweet?

So, what's the takeaway here?

Well, folks, it just goes to show that family trees can be a little messy, but they're always fascinating. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll see Scott Wapner taking after his grandfather and becoming a judge himself. Or maybe he'll just stick to hosting CNBC's Closing Bell and making us all feel a little smarter.

Either way, it's always fun to connect the dots, isn't it? So, the next time you're watching CNBC's Closing Bell, you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge about Scott Wapner's family tree. Just don't tell them you learned it all over a cup of coffee. Let them think you're just that interesting.