Sam Rubin, a veteran entertainment reporter who spent the bulk of his career with KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, died Friday morning from a heart attack at the age of 64.
His death was first reported in a news story aired by KTLA (Channel 5, CW) early Friday afternoon. The television station said the circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately known. Entertainment publication TMZ later revealed it to be a heart attack.
“The Sam that you saw on the air is the Sam that was off the air,” Rubin’s colleague Frank Buckley said on television. “To all of us he shared his mornings with on television, and to those he worked with behind the scenes at KTLA, we will not forget him.”
Rubin started at KTLA in 1991, serving as the lead entertainment correspondent for the KTLA Morning News. He was well-connected in Hollywood, scoring must-have interviews with A-list celebrities from the worlds of film, television, music and art.
Nexstar's CEO, Perry Sook, issued the following statement:
“Sam Rubin was an icon in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry and he was a beloved member of our Nexstar Nation. My prayers are with his family and the @KTLA family as we mourn his passing. He will be missed.” pic.twitter.com/GkhSIgpJwL
— Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (@NXSTMediaGroup) May 10, 2024
I am shocked and saddened by the news of Sam Rubin’s untimely passing. If you look up “kind” you would see his picture. RIP, Sam.. you will definitely be missed by me. pic.twitter.com/MsHYoXnnvs
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) May 10, 2024
I am numb and shocked at the news of my friend Sam Rubin passing. He cared about everyone that he met and always took the time to smile and ask about family and was the best at what he did. I can’t believe this news. So devastating and sad. Thinking about his beautiful family… pic.twitter.com/xthdAOvGha
— Greg Grunberg (@greggrunberg) May 10, 2024
So sad and sorry to hear of Sam Rubin’s passing. Consummate pro. I did my first interview with him in something like ‘93, and countless times over the years. He loved actors and movies. He made everyone feel comfortable and it was always fun and easy. He was an institution. We…
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 10, 2024
Truly heartbreaking to hear of the passing of Sam Rubin from KTLA morning news. He made my mornings, my band and me, more interesting and entertaining than they deserved to be…
Thank you Sam, Rest Easy 🙏💚 pic.twitter.com/xkqGMeyKyV— Mark McGrath (@mark_mcgrath) May 10, 2024
This is dreadful news. One of the true delights of being in show business was the opportunity to chat occasionally with Sam Rubin. In fact, I was looking forward to seeing Sam in a couple of weeks. He was a wonderful part of life in Los Angeles. I’ll miss him. https://t.co/XI0evw65kS
— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) May 10, 2024
So sad to learn that we’ve lost Sam Rubin. It was always a pleasure to see him and to be in his presence. My condolences to his family and fans. https://t.co/xWDA8wY787
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) May 10, 2024
A highly-accomplished correspondent, Rubin received multiple local Emmy nominations and wins, a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association and a Golden Mike award, among other honors.
In addition to his work at KTLA, Rubin also worked as an on-air host for the Reelz Channel and served as the entertainment correspondent for Nine Network in Australia and “This Morning” on Britain’s ITV. On Friday, a spokesperson for ITV said the broadcast network will honor Rubin on Monday’s episode of This Morning.
“He woke up Tinseltown every day for decades with his likeable charm and knowledgeable take on the movie world, he was on first name terms with the stars and became affectionately known as Hollywood Sam,” ITV said in a social media post. “We will miss him.”
Throughout much of Rubin’s career, KTLA was owned by Tribune Media. In 2019, the station was acquired by Nexstar Media Group through its purchase of Tribune Media.
“Sam was an icon in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry, and he was a beloved member of our Nexstar Nation,” Sook said in a statement. “My prayers are with his family and the KTLA family as we mourn his passing. He will be missed.”
KTLA's Sam Rubin was one of the first reporters to break from convention and talk about the TV competition!
Here he is, in 1997, chatting with @WGNNews about that time @sagaftra leaked the salaries of @NBCLA employees.
[Video: WGN-TV] pic.twitter.com/8LlGZXmXTW
— TheDesk.net (@TheDeskDotNet) May 11, 2024
While Rubin’s entertainment reports drove smiles and laughs to the KTLA Morning News, the station and the company occasionally put him in a tough spot. Two years ago, Rubin was one element of a larger story involving former KTLA Morning Show host Lynette Romero, who left the station for KNBC (Channel 4) after her contract with Nexstar expired.
Rubin broke the news of Romero’s departure by reading a short statement during the KTLA Morning News. The method by which the station informed viewers about Romero’s departure was a break from convention; typically, long-time hosts like Romero are allowed to announce their own leave and say goodbye to the audience. Weekend co-anchor Mark Mester was fired by the station after criticizing KTLA management for making Rubin read the statement about Romero’s exit.
