Longtime KTLA and radio entertainment reporter was 64

Sam Rubin, who was a mainstay of Los Angeles television news as a longtime entertainment reporter for KTLA and a regular red carpet interviewer, died today, the station announced. He was 64 years old and called in sick this morning.

Rubin’s KTLA colleagues remembered him this afternoon with tears and anecdotes. “We don’t know what happened, but it was sudden,” said longtime morning host Frank Buckley. Another longtime colleague, Eric Spillman, called and said, “I can’t believe we’re reporting this – it’s such a shock.”

“KTLA 5 is deeply saddened to report the death of Sam Rubin,” the station said posted on social media. “Sam was a giant in the local news industry and entertainment world and a fixture on Los Angeles morning television for decades. His laugh, charm and caring personality touched everyone who knew him. Sam was a loving husband and father: the roles he valued most. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family at this difficult time.”

Among the guests was Henry Winkler, one of Rubin’s favorite guests.

“It’s the most terrible thing,” Winkler said by phone from an airport. “Two things I know: He made you feel special every time (he interviewed you), and I’m not the only person who felt that special warmth.”

The network also played a minute-long segment from the 2020 SAG Awards red carpet today, in which none other than Tom Hanks stopped to speak with Rubin, turning the tables and extolling the virtues of KTLA, Rubin and “Sky Chopper 5.” ”

Ruby joined KTLA Morning News in 1991, about six months after the program’s debut. He won multiple News Emmys and Golden Mike Awards and received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association. He was also named Best Entertainment Reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.

Rubin was also a long-time regular on KNX-AM in Los Angeles, providing short showbiz news reports and appearing regularly on BBC television and radio in the United Kingdom and also reporting on radio and television in Australia.

Rubin is a founding member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest organization of film and television critics in the United States with more than 200 members. In 1996, the BFCA launched the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and he hosted the 2013 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

In 2021, Rubin ran for broadcaster representation on SAG-AFTRA’s LA board as part of the MembershipFirst party, along with Matthew Modine and Joely Fisher. Among his key concerns were changes to eligibility requirements for the SAG-AFTRA health plan.

After hearing the news, Fisher wrote on Twitter today: “This is a shocking loss!!! #REST IN PEACE to my long-time friend.”

He also owned SRE, Inc., a television production company that produced more than 200 hours of broadcast and cable programs, including several Live out Red carpet shows and 120 episodes of the talk show Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin that aired on Reelz.

Rubin is the author of two books and his works have been published worldwide both in print and online. Sam appears regularly on BBC television and radio in the UK and is a regular contributor to Triple M Radio and Channel 9 in Australia.

His charitable efforts included sponsoring the annual Bay-to-Bay Bike Ride from Orange County to San Diego to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research.

Survivors include his wife, Leslie, and their four children.

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