Today’s terrible news from the world of journalism and entertainment:
Sam Rubin, KTLA’s popular reporter since 1991, died Friday of a heart attack.
He was 64 years old.
The reporter went on air just a day before his shocking death, with colleagues saying that on May 9 he had shown no signs of illness or signs of anything being wrong.
Rubin remained exclusively with KTLA throughout his career, which began three decades ago and established Rubin as a star in his industry due to his extensive film and television work as well as his charisma.
On camera, Rubin was known as a funny and warm-hearted person, often talking about his activities with his wife and four children.
He met every A-lister you could imagine or cite, as an interview with Rubin was a regular part of any promotional tour.
“Sam was an icon in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry and he was a beloved member of our Nexstar Nation. My prayers are with his family and the KTLA family as we mourn his passing. He will be missed,” Nexstar Chairman and CEO Perry Sook said in a statement.
Added NBC Los Angeles anchor Lynette Romero, who worked with Rubin at KTLA for nearly 25 years:
“He would appreciate us all telling him how much we love him…
“I don’t think he knew it was his dream job. I don’t think he knew it was his destiny, but it was.
“He knew every celebrity and every celebrity knew him. I don’t know if there was someone he wanted to interview but couldn’t get an interview…
“It will be very difficult for him to move on, but he will want to. And he wants us all to remember him, think about him and smile because he did that for other people.
Actor Yvette Nicole Brown called him “a friend” on Twitter, “I enjoyed all the times I met him at KTLA.”
And Rubin’s longtime colleague and friend Frank Buckley praised the late reporter thus:
“The Sam you saw on air was the Sam off air. Our hearts are broken. With all of us he shared his mornings on television, and with those he worked with behind the scenes… we will not forget him. Quite simply, Sam was KTLA.
Sam Rubin is survived by his wife Leslie and four children. May his soul rest in peace.
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