'Night Court' creator Reinhold Weege dies

The creator of popular and quirky 1980s NBC sitcom “Night Court” has died.

Reinhold Weege died of natural causes at his home in La Jolla, California. He was 62.

He also worked on “Barney Miller” (and spinoff “Fish”), “MASH” and “Park Place.”

Weege was a Chicago- area native and worked as a small- town newspaper reporter before landing on “Barney Miller.” He also served in the military.

“Night Court” ran from 1984 to 1990 and was part of the legendary NBC Thursday primetime lineup that included “The Cosby Show,” “Family Ties” and “Cheers,” and launched Harry Anderson, John Larroquette and Richard Moll’s careers. Larroquette received four consecutive Emmys for comedy supporting actor starting in 1985.

“Night Court” also won Emmys for multi- camera editing, sound editing and for technical direction.

Weege reportedly said he had seen courtrooms that were more bizarre, so the show was based on reality.

”In life there are those who impact us with such force everything changes,” Larroquette, posting on Twitter, said. “Reinhold Weege was that in mine. May he truly rest in peace.”

Weege is survived by Shelley, his ex- wife; two daughters Tez and Alix; and his granddaughter Zoe.