Reinhold Weege was an American television writer, producer and director, best known for creating the sitcom Night Court, which ran for nine seasons on NBC from 1984 to 1992. He also wrote and produced for other popular shows, such as Barney Miller and MAS*H. He was nominated for four Emmy Awards during his career, one for Barney Miller and three for Night Court.
Early Life and Career
Reinhold Weege was born on December 23, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, in 1968, where he acted in a play with future Babylon 5 star Bruce Boxleitner. He started his career as a writer for the TV adaptations of MAS*H and Semi-Tough, as well as for Fish, a spinoff of Barney Miller. He joined the writing staff of Barney Miller in 1978 and stayed until 1982, earning his first Emmy nomination in 1979.
Night Court and Beyond
In 1984, Weege created Night Court, a comedy series set in a Manhattan municipal court presided by a young and eccentric judge, Harry Stone, played by Harry Anderson. The show also featured John Larroquette as a lecherous prosecutor, Dan Fielding, and a cast of quirky characters, such as a bald bailiff, a sassy court clerk, and a parade of odd defendants and witnesses. The show was a hit with audiences and critics, receiving seven Emmy Awards and 31 nominations, including three for best comedy series. Weege wrote and produced the show until 1989, when he left after six seasons. He also created a short-lived sitcom called Park Place in 1981, and wrote and directed a pilot for Nikki and Alexander in 1989, starring Tim Matheson and Irena Ferris.
Cause of Death and Legacy
Reinhold Weege died of natural causes in La Jolla, California, on December 1, 2012, at the age of 62. He was survived by his daughter, Tezra Weege, and his grandson, Jack. His former colleagues and fans paid tribute to him on social media and in the press, praising his talent and humor. John Larroquette, who played Dan Fielding on Night Court, tweeted: “In life there are those who impact us with such force everything changes. Reinhold Weege was that in mine. May he truly rest in peace.” Weege’s work on Night Court and other shows has influenced many comedians and writers, and his legacy lives on in the laughter he brought to millions of viewers.
