Sam Rubin, an entertainment reporter in Los Angeles, has died.
The veteran news anchor at KTLA was 64 years old.
A source told Variety that Rubin had a heart attack after doing his usual early Friday morning Hollywood news show.
TMZ says that he had a full cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital from his home in Los Angeles.
The news was also confirmed by KTLA on Friday afternoon.
“KTLA 5 is deeply saddened to report Sam Rubin’s death,” the news station wrote on X.
“Sam was a giant in the entertainment and local news business, and he was a mainstay on Los Angeles morning TV for decades.”
“His smile, laugh, and kindness touched everyone who knew him.” Sam loved being a husband and a dad; those were the roles he valued most. During this hard time, our thoughts are with Sam’s family.
A coworker of Rubin’s, Frank Buckley, said on KTLA, “The Sam that you saw on the air is the Sam that was off the air.”
“To all of us he shared his mornings with us on television, and to those he worked with behind the scenes at KTLA, we will not forget him.”
Ashley Regan, a producer who works with him, also told him how sad she was when she heard the news.
“Today, KTLA lost a family member and Los Angeles lost a famous person.” I’ll always be thankful that I got to work with Sam in a newsroom. He wrote on X, “What a terrible loss.”
Rubin was famous for writing about famous people in the Los Angeles area.
In 1991, he started working on the morning news show at KTLA.
He won several Emmys and was the host of the show Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin, which had more than 100 episodes.
His company, SRE Inc., put together more than 200 hours of shows, such as the popular “live from the red carpet” shows.
KTLA says that Rubin got the Golden Mike Award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association. This is an award for lifetime achievement.
He also helped to start the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which now has more than 200 members and is the largest group of film and TV critics in the US.
When many people heard about Rubin’s death on Friday, they went on social media.
“Sam Rubin was a GREAT MAN.” “Jerry O’Connell wrote on X, “Rest in Peace, King.”
The actor Ben Stiller said that Rubin was a “consummate pro” and that he was sad to hear about his death.
“I did my first interview with him in something like ’93, and countless times over the years He loved actors and movies,” Stiller said on X.
“Everyone felt at ease with him, and things were always fun and simple.” He stood for a lot. He was taken away from us too soon.
The Critics Choice Association said they were “devastated by the sudden loss” of Rubin, who they described as a guiding force.
“Sam’s generous spirit, unfailing good humor and deep knowledge of ‘Hollywood’ made him a legend in the entertainment business and a trusted friend to millions of viewers – and to hundreds of stars who relaxed in easy conversation with him on his set at KTLA and on countless Red Carpets,” they wrote.
