Sam Rubin, a journalist for the tv station KTLA 5 in Los Angeles whose morning interviews with celebrities turned requisite viewing for a lot of the leisure trade and who endeared himself to Hollywood insiders together with his geniality and information of their work, died on Friday. He was 64.
Mr. Rubin’s loss of life was introduced by a KTLA anchor, Frank Buckley. A tribute phase that aired on the station mentioned the trigger was a coronary heart assault.
In an trade identified for its altering names and evolving developments, Mr. Rubin was for many years a mainstay for viewers throughout town and an interview with him was thought-about a ceremony of passage for a lot of stars.
His skill to make celebrities really feel snug as he requested them about their craft spanned generations.
Though it was clear that Mr. Rubin was immersed within the trivialities of his beat, a part of his enduring attraction got here from the antics he himself dropped at the studio and his skill to alter the tempo of what may very well be a rote interview.
“Is it shampoo and conditioner, or simply shampoo — what’s the hair routine, Jared?” he mentioned in an interview with the actor Jared Leto.
“, my good friend, it’s a toupee,” Mr. Leto mentioned.
It was clear that Hollywood’s greatest names had an affection for Mr. Rubin. They typically appeared comfy and familial underneath the KTLA studio lights, as if they had been talking with an outdated good friend.
Mr. Rubin may very well be seen on a pink carpet, genially shaking Tom Hanks’s hand because the film star shouted “Sam Rubin, women and gentleman!” or interviewing Billie Eilish concerning the Oscars or dancing with Beyoncé and the members of Future’s Baby when the group was nonetheless collectively.
On social media, many within the trade mirrored on their interactions with Mr. Rubin.
“Even when I used to be on my eighty fifth interview that day, I used to be at all times joyful to see Sam,” the actor Ryan Reynolds wrote. “Even when HE was on his eighty fifth interview that day, he at all times introduced real kindness, curiosity and an outdoor the field query.”
Sam Rubin was born on Feb. 16, 1960, in San Diego, in response to The Los Angeles Occasions. He attended Occidental School in Los Angeles and earned a level in American research and rhetoric.
After working as a correspondent for a number of native shops protecting leisure information, Mr. Rubin joined KTLA in 1991 and shortly made a reputation for himself together with his surprising questions and simple allure.
Mr. Rubin gained a number of Emmy Awards for his protection, and a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Affiliation. He used his movie star acumen as co-author of two movie star biographies, one concerning the former first woman Jacqueline Onassis, and one other on the actress Mia Farrow.
The leisure that Mr. Rubin provided was not confined to the KTLA studio. He was the co-owner of SRE, Inc., a manufacturing firm that aired broadcast and cable applications like “Reside From” pink carpet occasions and the discuss present “Hollywood Uncensored.”
Mr. Rubin is survived by his spouse, Leslie Gale Shuman, and 4 youngsters, in response to The Los Angeles Occasions.
In his final interview on Thursday, Mr. Rubin spoke with the actress Jane Seymour.
After studying of Mr. Rubin’s loss of life, the actor Henry Winkler spoke to KTLA concerning the legacy that he left behind.
“If you had been being interviewed by him, there was no person after you, there was no person earlier than you at that desk,” Mr. Winkler mentioned. “It was you in that seat, and that was all that mattered.”
