The KTLA 5 Morning News team is mourning the loss of Sam Rubin, one of its earliest members and an icon in the entertainment world.
Sam’s death at the age of 64 was announced Friday, stunning coworkers and drawing tributes from his friends and colleagues in Hollywood.
Sam joined KTLA 5 Morning News in 1991, instantly making an impact with his knowledge of film and television and infectious charm. His reports, interviews and feature segments were central to the morning broadcast and a hallmark of KTLA’s brand.
KTLA’s Sam Rubin appears with Muppets characters. (KTLA) 
Sam Rubin in high school during a taping of “Student News” in 1977 (Rick Gerber). 
Sam Rubin demonstrates his world-famous ‘cupcake sandwich’ method. (KTLA) 
Sam Rubin’s eldest daughter Perry reporting on the KTLA 5 Morning News. 
Legendary KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin. (KTLA) 
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Television personalities Jessica Holmes (L) and Sam Rubin arrive at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) 
Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA) 
Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: KTLA’s Sam Rubin attends the Silver Carpet Roll Out Event for the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 17, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 719737 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner) 
SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 10: Actor Hugh Jackman (L) speaks to host Sam Rubin at the 18th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards held at Barker Hangar on January 10, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) 
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 20: Actress Zooey Deschanel and entertainment reporter Sam Rubin speak onstage at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards at Beverly Hills Hotel on June 20, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images For The Broadcast Television Journalists Association)
Sam’s Morning News co-hosts reflected on his impact during KTLA’s live coverage Monday morning.
Eric Spillman: “We’re going to take a look back at the moments that made Sam, Sam. A unique talented person who was our friend and made everybody feel like they were a part of our family here at KTLA. And this is going to be a very tough day,” Eric said to open the broadcast.
Chris Schauble: “The phrase that we say around here is, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ He lifted everyone’s boat. Sam made everyone better.”
Ginger Chan: “He really fought for other people. People who may not have had the same voice he had or the same strength or power but he was there for everybody, fighting for everybody.”
Henry DiCarlo: “He was in many respects our steering wheel. He led us. We’re broken. We’re devastated and I wish I could say more of the thoughts that I wanted to say but the best way that we can honor Sam and honor his legacy is to tell the people around you how much you loved him.”
Mark Kriski: “[I was friends with Sam for] 33 years…and we do four hours of TV, so we talked and we were open, and we would sometimes be brutal on each other. But I don’t think in 33 years Sam had ever said anything that upset me and I don’t think I’ve said anything to upset him. We didn’t know each other before, but he [became] family. I don’t think I’ve spent that many years with anyone in my life.”
Jessica Holmes: “I think one of the things that breaks my heart the most is that life won’t be as colorful without Sam in it. It won’t be as fun. That guy had a sense of humor that was just the silliest, the wittiest.”
Frank Buckley: “[Sam was] whip smart, too. He had an ability to look at what was happening in society and culture — people can do entertainment, they can interview the stars. But he had an observational quality and could see what was going on and understand what was happening beyond the entertainment stuff and the intersection of culture and politics and society. To have those smarts to bring every day, man I’m going to miss that.”
