Sam Rubin, an Emmy-winning entertainment journalist who worked for Los Angeles news network KTLA for over three decades, died on Friday, the news station announced. He was 64.
“KTLA 5 is profoundly saddened to report the death of Sam Rubin,” the network shared on social media. “Sam was a giant in the local news industry and the entertainment world, and a fixture of Los Angeles morning television for decades. His laugh, charm and caring personality touched all who knew him. Sam was a loving husband and father: the roles he cherished the most. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family during this difficult time.”
A news story posted by the station said that Rubin had “died suddenly,” but did not share any details on the cause, whileVariety reported that the journalist died from a heart attack in his L.A. home.
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Rubin’s death was also confirmed on-air on the station. “Sam was KTLA,” his colleague Frank Buckley said. “We don’t know exactly what happened because he was here yesterday, just 24 hours ago.”
“Whenever a famous person passed away, he had the most touching and moving obituaries that he would write, and he would put their lives in perspective in such a way that was truly a talent,” KTLA’s Eric Spillman said. “Now we’re in the position of having to talk about his career and his life and give it some perspective and give it the dignity that it deserves … I’m at a loss for words.”
Henry Winkler called into KTLA’s broadcast remembering Rubin Friday afternoon, saying, “Two things I know: he made you feel special every single time, and I am not the only person who felt that warmth every single time they sat down at your desk… He made every human being feel so special, and then got them to open up like a flower.”
“We would screech our cars to a halt, park illegally, just to get some face time with Mr. Rubin,” Jerry O’Connell said on KTLA. “Sam was the kindest, warmest soul in this insane town.
KTLA also aired a moving montage of some of Rubin’s on-air highlights with Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift, Sting, Destiny’s Child, the Muppets, BTS, Jessica Chastain, and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Born in 1960, Rubin was a graduate of Occidental College. He joined KTLA Morning News in 1991, where he remained for 33 years. Rubin became one of the most prominent entertainment journalists in Hollywood, bringing exuberance and enthusiasm to his countless interviews with celebrities and coverage of entertainment news. Rubin won multiple Emmy awards and a Golden Mike Award, and was named best entertainment journalist by the Los Angeles Press Club.
Rubin frequently appeared as a version of himself in films and TV shows, including Fantastic Four, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Melrose Place.
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The broadcaster also hosted the talk show Hollywood Uncensored and numerous red carpet programs like Live from the Academy Awards. Rubin frequently contributed to the U.K.’s ITV and Australia’s Triple M radio and Channel 9 television network. In addition to his broadcast work, Rubin wrote biographies on Jackie Kennedy Onassus and Mia Farrow.
Rubin was one of the founding members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the organization that launched the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. (Rubin hosted the 2013 ceremony, too.)
On Thursday, Rubin shared a clip from his interview with actress Jane Seymour on Thursday. In the past week, he interviewed Eric Bana, Ja Rule, Thomas Lennon, and several other notable entertainers.
Rubin is survived by his wife Leslie and four children.
Watch KTLA’s tribue to Rubin above.
