Sam Rubin, TV Anchor Known for His Hollywood Reporting, Dies at 64
Sam Rubin, the legendary entertainment writer in Los Angeles, was always treated like a friend. Whether you were a sleepy-eyed viewer watching from home or a Hollywood star having a chat with Rubin on KTLA 5 Morning News, you felt like you were a member of his circle because of his upbeat, inquisitive, and conversational manner.
Sam Rubin, 64, passed away at home on Friday, presumably following a heart attack. One day after interviewing actress Jane Seymour for the Morning News, on Friday, he called in sick, showing no symptoms of illness.
The loss felt deep for celebrities, spectators, coworkers, friends, and family as word of his passing spread.
Actor Henry Winkler, who spent many years behind the Morning News anchor desk in his chair on the right side of your screen, said, “He made you feel special every single time, and I am not the only person who felt that warmth every time they sat down at your desk,” during a call to KTLA following his passing.
Winkler went on, “He got every human being to open up like a flower, and then he made them feel so special.” “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and you, his coworkers. We will really miss him. The fact that he won’t be here with us overwhelms me.
When he delivered the news of Sam Rubin’s passing to viewers just after midday on Friday, KTLA news presenter Frank Buckley, who was having difficulty maintaining his calm, remarked, “The Sam that you saw on the air is the Sam that was off the air.”
Mariane McLucas posted on the KTLA Facebook page following Rubin’s passing, stating, “I am heartbroken.” Sam reminded me of a family member. I observed him every morning. Over the years, we have had several conversations on social media. What a lovely dude with a carefree spirit! I’m only over it.
In his interviews, Sam Rubin frequently gave the impression of a fan who had fallen into the entertainment journalism field by chance. Not that he wasn’t a very skilled professional broadcast journalist at all. There was an obvious pinch-me: do I really get to have this kind of passion for his work?
To break the ice and surprise a media-trained artist, he would often begin an interview with an unconventional question.
Is it conditioner and shampoo? or simply shampoo? When they first started their interview, Rubin questioned Jared Leto, “What is the hair regimen, Jared? Good morning to you.” “Well, you know, my friend, it’s a toupee,” the long-haired actor-musician said while laughing, and Rubin burst out laughing.
After striking up a conversation with Common and Tiffany Haddish at the 2018 Oscars, Sam Rubin jokingly proposed that, because they would be a good fit, why not go on a date? After a few years, they were together, and Sam Rubin was ecstatic with his ability to find compatible people.
Sam Rubin was always willing to participate in whatever activity visitors asked him to. Whether it was Rubin playfully offering to join Destiny’s Child years ago or the K-pop boy band Ateez showing him one of their dances on TV last year, he never turned down an invitation to dance.
“May I provide backup for you guys?” Sam Rubin questioned the three while showcasing his skills. Beyoncé tried not to giggle at his jerking movements as she answered, “Ahhh, I think you have a little work to do.”
On the radio, Rubin frequently discussed his personal experiences, including travels he took with his wife Leslie and their four kids.
Sam Rubin’s coworkers at KTLA smiled as they remembered how much he detested camping and how happily he would go on an adventure with one of his children.
For the most part, since his 17-year-old daughter Perry threatened to stop talking to him if he didn’t see her favorite actor and ask him a few very specific questions for her, he went to New York City in 2012 to attend a press junket with Ryan Gosling for “The Place Beyond the Pines.” Sam Rubin did, Gosling found the questions impressive, and Perry was undoubtedly overjoyed.
If you work as a journalist for long enough, you will err. Even though Rubin was able to laugh it off and move on from small mistakes, it wasn’t enjoyable when Samuel L. Jackson chastised him for thinking he was Laurence Fishbourne.
The outpouring of emotion that followed his passing on Friday was a result of all of that: his sense of humor, humility, readiness to say and do anything, good-natured enthusiasm for all of his visitors, and real compassion and warmth for everyone in his orbit.
Actress Marilu Henner stated on X, “I don’t think there was ever a person who loved his job more than Sam Rubin did.” He was always so much fun! My thoughts and prayers are with his amazing family at KTLA as well as his lovely family at home. When you went onto the set, you could sense the affection. Sam Rubin served as the center and focal point.
Actor Kiefer Sutherland spoke of meeting Sam Rubin earlier in the year while walking the red carpet; Sam Rubin was a mainstay of the coverage of the Los Angeles awards presentations.
Sutherland wrote on X, “I last spoke with Sam Rubin at this year’s Critics Choice Awards.” His real enthusiasm for everything Hollywood is ever-present, as is his smile. In tense circumstances, he was a pillar of kindness. He will be missed.
On Friday, while traveling through Canada, actor Danny Trejo contacted KTLA to talk about how he felt about Sam Rubin.
Trejo remarked, “He was someone you’d call a friend if you met him.” “They’re calling me right now while I’m in Canada, and I’m thinking, ‘Oh man, not my buddy.'” He was simply the cutest guy ever.
Additionally, viewers talked movingly about their long-time morning TV buddy.
Israel Ang posted on Facebook, saying, “It feels like losing a relative—woke up every day to see the KTLA morning news and there he was.” “It seems like he didn’t wear makeup when he was there yesterday. And Sam Rubin wasn’t there today, and I hadn’t given it any thought until now. I will not lie; I am depressed. I had a tear go down my cheek. We shall miss him.
Tracie Berquist Alo posted on Facebook, saying, “I’m sitting here crying like I knew him personally, but that’s how he made you feel.”
