Sam Rubin, longtime KTLA entertainment reporter, dies at 64

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Sam Rubin, the longtime entertainment reporter at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, died Friday, the news station said. He was 64.

News of Rubin’s death was confirmed on air by Rubin’s colleague Frank Buckley, who fought back tears as he made the announcement.

“Sam was KTLA,” Buckley said. “We don’t know exactly what happened because he was here yesterday, just 24 hours ago.”

Word of Rubin’s death prompted an immediate and widespread outpouring of condolences from other co-workers and viewers.

“I’m in absolute shock. RIP, Sam,” KTLA’s technology reporter, Rich DeMuro, wrote on X. “Thinking the most of your family right now. So sorry. Morning News in Hollywood will never be the same without you.”

“My heart goes out to his family and those at @KTLA. Sam was THE entertainment reporter in Hollywood,” Tara Finestone, a former KTLA executive producer, wrote on X.

Rubin, a winner of multiple Emmy awards, had been a beloved mainstay of local television since joining the KTLA Morning News in 1991.

During his lengthy career, he received the Golden Mike Award for best entertainment reporter, a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association, and was named best entertainment reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club, according KTLA.

Rubin lived in Brentwood with his wife Leslie and their four children, his official online biography said.

DEVELOPING: More details will be added to this report as they become available.