Sam Rubin dead: Longtime KTLA entertainment host was 64 years old

Sam Rubin, a veteran journalist who anchored KTLA’s entertainment coverage for more than 30 years, has died. He was 64.

KTLA anchor Frank Buckley confirmed the reporter’s death during an emotional announcement Friday. Buckley called his colleague’s death “shocking” and “hard to understand at the moment.”

“Quite simply, Sam was KTLA,” Buckley added tearfully, before praising Rubin’s cheerful personality.

Buckley said during Thursday’s broadcast that Rubin had called in sick on Friday’s broadcast, but did not provide further details.

Rubin, an Emmy-winning journalist, joined KTLA’s “Morning News” program in 1991. He graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a degree in American studies and rhetoric.

This story is developing.