Sam Rubin, a journalist for Los Angeles television station KTLA 5 whose morning interviews with celebrities became mandatory viewing for many in the entertainment industry and who was beloved by Hollywood insiders for his geniality and business knowledge, died Friday. He was 64 years old.
Rubin's death was announced by KTLA anchor Frank Buckley. In his memorial segment aired on the station, he said the cause was a heart attack.
In an industry known for changing names and evolving trends, Mr. Rubin has been a mainstay for viewers in the city for decades, and interviews with him were considered a rite of passage for many stars. .
His ability to ask famous people questions about their craft and make them feel at ease transcended generations.
It was clear that Mr. Rubin was immersed in the details of his beats, but part of his lasting appeal was the antics he brought to the studio and his often rote interviews. There was no ability to change the pace of the interview.
“Shampoo and conditioner or just shampoo? What's your hair care, Jared?” he said in an interview with actor Jared Leto.
“You know, this is a wig,” Leto said.
It was clear that Hollywood's biggest names had affection for Mr. Rubin. They often looked at ease and familial under the lights of the KTLA studio, as if they were talking with old friends.
On the red carpet, Mr. Rubin gently shook hands with Tom Hanks, who could be seen shouting, “Sam Rubin, ladies and gentlemen!” Interview Billie Eilish about the Oscars, dance with Beyoncé and Destiny's Child when they were still a group.
Many in the industry reflected on their interactions with Rubin on social media.
“Even though it was my 85th interview that day, it was always a pleasure to meet Sam,” says actor Ryan Reynolds. I have written. “Even though he was in his 85th interview that day, he always approached me with genuine kindness, curiosity, and out-of-the-box questions.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, Sam Rubin was born on February 16, 1960 in San Diego. He attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, earning degrees in American Studies and Rhetoric.
Mr. Rubin joined KTLA in 1991 after working as a correspondent for several local media outlets covering entertainment news and quickly made a name for himself with his unexpected questions and easy-going charm.
Mr. Rubin has won multiple Emmy Awards for his reporting and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern California Broadcasting Corporation. He used his celebrity acumen to co-author two celebrity biographies about former first lady Jacqueline Onassis and actress Mia Farrow.
The entertainment provided by Mr. Rubin was not limited to KTLA studios. He was co-owner of SRE, Inc., a production company that broadcasts broadcast and cable programs such as Red His Carpet His Events “Live From” and the talk show “Hollywood Uncensored.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie Gail Schuman, and four children.
In his final interview Thursday, Mr. Rubin spoke with actress Jane Seymour.
After learning of Rubin's death, actor Henry Winkler spoke to KTLA about Rubin's legacy.
“When you were being interviewed by him, there was no one behind you at that desk, no one in front of you,” Winkler said. “You were in that seat, that's all that mattered.”