Beloved Hollywood entertainment reporter Sam Rubin has died at age 64. He died from a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles on Friday (local time).
Nine’s Director of Morning Television Steven Burling gave a touching statement about Rubin, who was a long-time reporter for Today and Today Extra.
“Sam was an extraordinary figure in Hollywood, he was a fixture not only on red carpets and awards ceremonies but a daily presence for more than three decades on KTLA in Los Angeles,” he said.
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“Sam’s history with the Today Show and Today Extra spans almost as long – nearly 20 years. His professionalism, his vast knowledge and his contacts is what first attracted us to getting Sam on to talk entertainment out of Los Angeles. What kept him as part of our wider team (for these decades) was his warmth, good humour and passion.
“He loved what he did and he loved those he worked with. I’m thinking particularly of his wife and kids, his KTLA family… and Dickie (who was incredibly close).”
Nine’s Entertainment Reporter Richard Wilkins gave an emotional tribute to his long-time friend and colleague.
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“The entertainment world has really lost one of its greatest colleagues and dear friends today,” Wilkins said on Weekend Today.
“For the last 20-odd years he’s been a member of our family, mainly through the Today show and Today Extra…but whenever the big stories broke, Sam was our go-to guy.
“And those beautiful people that he works with, they will be absolutely gutted today, obviously he brought this immense knowledge of the entertainment industry, but he brought this immense warmth as well.”
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Today host Karl Stefanovic shared his thoughts, along with a picture he took with Rubin and his teammates at his LA workplace, TV station KTLA.
“I absolutely adored every second with @samontv on air and off over the past two decades,” shared the Today host, “His spirit. His laugh. His warm caring nature. He was a beautiful man. What a loss. All our love to his family. And to his tv family at @ktla5news @ktla_entertainment”
David Campbell, host of Today Extra, shared a post in honour of Rubin with a picture of the two of them smiling.
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“Sam Rubin was a Hollywood great,” Campbell began, “He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry. For years we would cross to him and gossip and laugh. He would visit us Down Under and whenever you were in LA you had to catch up. His loss is profound. My love and condolences to his family whom he adored. Also his KTLA team who have lost a brother. We will cross back to you some other time Sam.”
Nine News’ Political Editor Charles Croucher also paid tribute to Rubin.
“Sam Rubin was one of the good guys. He was kind, generous, bright and funny every time he was in the 9 office. He was also a genuine big deal in a city where so many just pretend to be. Thinking of his family and the crew at KTLA,” wrote Croucher.
Rubin worked for KTLA as their entertainment reporter since 1991 and was well established as a popular presence in the US media and entertainment industry by media professionals and celebrities alike.
The revered journalist’s death prompted tributes on LA monuments, including the famous Santa Monica Pier, which was lit up in his honour.
There was also a sign outside SoFi Stadium dedicated to his memory.
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A long list of celebrities took to social media to remember the reporter, including actors Tom Hanks, Ben Stiller and Ryan Reynolds.
“Sam Rubin, you will be missed. A good guy, that Sam. Hanx,” Hanks captioned a photo of the reporter, which he shared on his official Instagram account.
“So sad and sorry to hear of Sam Rubin’s passing. Consummate pro,” Stiller wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“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 have lost him way too soon. Sending love to his family,”
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds recalled of Rubin, “Even if I was on my 85th interview that day, I was always happy to see Sam. Even if HE was on his 85th interview that day, he always brought genuine kindness, curiosity and an outside the box question.”
Seinfeld star Jason Alexander also shared his memories, writing on X: “Sam Rubin, KTLA entertainment reporter was a lovely man and a real friend to our entertainment community. His untimely passing is a sad loss.”
Mayim Bialik from The Big Bang Theory shared a heartfelt tribute to Rubin on X too.
“Gone too soon… Sam Rubin – born in San Diego and an LA local like me- was always so kind on carpets and in the studio,” she began.
“I so appreciated having his support and kindness which I knew my mom could tune in and watch on our local KTLA station whenever he had me on. Sam was a real ray of sunshine in our industry. He will be missed.”
Tom Arnold wrote on X: “Terribly sad news. I’ve been a friend and fan of Sam Rubin and KTLA since he started. He was the best absolute best.”
Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath said the loss was “truly heartbreaking”.
“He made my mornings, my band and me, more interesting and entertaining than they deserved to be,” the musician wrote on X.
Oscar winning actress Marlee Matlin wrote, “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.”
“I last talked to Sam Rubin at the Critics Choice Awards this year,” recalled actor Kiefer Sutherland, “His smile and his genuine excitement for all things Hollywood ever present. In nervous situations he was a buoy of kindness. I will miss him.”
Actress Octavia Spencer wrote, “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.
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“EVERYONE loved Sam Rubin. He has supported my career and countless others since day one,” The Hangover star Ken Jeong wrote in a tribute to the reporter.
“And he had the best sense of humor about life, and we would make each other laugh all the time. But most of all, he was a loving father and husband and just a good person. Sending all my love to Sam’s family and everyone whose lives have been blessed by him.”
Rubin, who used to joke that he launched TV presenter Ryan Seacrest’s career, was paid tribute to by his protégé live on air.
“Sam was just one of those guys who made you laugh all the time,” said Seacrest, who called in to the KTLA studio, “I was always impressed by his sense of humour, his skill set, his ability to – as people have said – to make everybody feel so important.
After recalling stories of the early days of their careers, Seacrest concluded with, “He had an ease about him and the levity to come along with it too that made us all feel comfortable.”
His death was reported by his colleagues live on air in a touching tribute.
KTLA’s Frank Buckley broke the news of Rubin’s death, which he called “shocking” and “hard to comprehend.”
“Our hearts, as you can imagine, are broken,” Buckley told viewers, “Quite simply, Sam was KTLA.”
He became overwhelmed and struggled to continue as he remembered Rubin’s “laugh, his charm, his caring personality.”
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The TV station confirmed Rubins’ passing in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, this morning.
“Sam was a giant in the local news industry and the entertainment world, and a fixture of Los Angeles morning television for decades.
“His laugh, charm and caring personality touched all who knew him. Sam was a loving husband and father: the roles he cherished the most.
“Our thoughts are with Sam’s family during this difficult time.”
Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie, and four children.
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