Famed 'Judge Judy' announcer, Jerry Bishop, dead at 84 of heart disease

Jerry Bishop, famed announcer for the television show "Judge Judy," died on Tuesday at age 84.

He died from heart disease according to a statement shared by the show's publicist, Gary Rosen, with USA TODAY.

While he had radio roles on stations including WDRC-Hartford, KFI, KIIS, KLAC and others, he was best known for his work as the announcer for "Judge Judy." 

"Jerry's role lasted up until his final days," the statement said. "His voice was powerful, soothing, and caring, which are three qualities he embodied so well."

Judge Judy Sheindlin said that Bishop, the voice of the show for 24 years, was loved by everyone at the show. 

"He had a golden heart and generous spirit. I adored him and will miss him,” Sheindlin said.

"Judge Judy"'s upcoming 25th season will be the show's last season. The show debuted in 1996.

Bishop was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1935 and earned his degree in broadcast journalism from Emerson College in the 1950s. While there, he met Velma Leventhal who he later married in 1956 in Hartford, before moving to California. 

The couple had three daughters, Karen, Michelle and Stephanie. Velma died in 2007.

Along with his work in radio, during which he established himself as a morning drive radio host during the 1960s and running through he 1980s, he also had voice over campaigns for brands including Miller Coors, Budweiser and Burger King. He also did promotional voice work for the ABC and NBC and was the voice of the Disney Channel for 15 years.

Arlene Thornton, Bishop's agent for more than three decades said Bishop was more than a client but a friend, too.

“The best friend that anybody could ever have," Thornton said in the statement shared by Rosen. "He was a prince and a mensch but he was truly family.”