Sam Rubin, the beloved entertainment anchor and reporter for KTLA in Los Angeles, passed away unexpectedly on Friday at the age of 64. Known for his warm and engaging interviews with Hollywood’s biggest stars, Rubin had become a fixture in the entertainment industry since joining the station’s morning news team in 1991.
Throughout his career, Rubin conducted lively interviews with actors and musicians from behind the anchor desk and was a constant presence at premiere red carpets and movie junkets. His final interview, conducted just a day before his passing, was with actress Jane Seymour.
News of Rubin’s death sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with numerous celebrities taking to social media to express their grief and share memories of the beloved reporter. Among those who mourned his loss were Tom Hanks, Viola Davis, Ben Stiller, Guillermo del Toro, Kiefer Sutherland, and Octavia Spencer.
Actor Ryan Reynolds posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about Rubin’s genuine kindness and curiosity, noting that even if it was his 85th interview of the day, Rubin always brought a unique perspective and thoughtful questions to their interactions.
Similarly, actress Jamie Lee Curtis shared on Instagram that she had known Rubin for most of her career and that he always had a light in his eyes as he started his daily work, no matter how early in the morning it was.
Born and raised in San Diego, Rubin graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles before embarking on his illustrious career in journalism. Over the years, he earned multiple honors from local news journalism groups, including a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association.
Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie, and their four children. His passing marks the end of an era in entertainment journalism, and his warm presence and infectious enthusiasm for his work will be deeply missed by colleagues, friends, and the countless celebrities whose lives he touched.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.