The cause of death for Sam Rubin, the beloved KTLA entertainment reporter, has been officially revealed. According to a report from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, Rubin passed away due to “ischemic heart disease caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.” His death was classified as natural.
On the morning of May 10, Rubin, 64, experienced stomach pain and went to the hospital. He was pronounced dead in the emergency room shortly after 11 a.m. His family confirmed that he died of a heart attack. Rubin had been on air the previous day and showed no signs of illness, although he had called in sick on May 10.
Rubin’s colleagues at KTLA were visibly emotional as they remembered him on air. Longtime morning anchor Frank Buckley expressed the shock and sadness felt by the team, while another colleague, Eric Spillman, called in to share his disbelief. The station posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, highlighting Rubin’s significant impact on the local news industry and the entertainment world. They described him as a loving husband and father, roles he cherished the most.
Henry Winkler, one of Rubin’s favorite guests, called in to share his condolences. Winkler praised Rubin for making everyone he interviewed feel special, a sentiment echoed by many who knew him. The station also aired a segment from the 2020 SAG Awards red carpet, where Tom Hanks turned the tables on Rubin, praising him and KTLA.
Rubin joined KTLA Morning News in 1991, about six months after the program debuted. Over his career, he won multiple News Emmys and Golden Mike Awards and received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association. He was also named Best Entertainment Reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.
In addition to his work at KTLA, Rubin was a regular on KNX-AM in Los Angeles, provided showbiz-news reports, and appeared on BBC TV and radio in the UK. He also did radio and TV reports in Australia. Rubin was a founding member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest organization of film and television critics in the United States. He hosted the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards in 2013.
In 2021, Rubin ran for a position on SAG-AFTRA’s L.A. board of directors, focusing on changes in eligibility requirements at the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan. Joely Fisher, who ran alongside him, expressed her shock at his passing on social media.
Rubin was also the owner of SRE, Inc., a TV production company that produced over 200 hours of broadcast and cable programming. This included several “Live From” red carpet shows and 120 episodes of “Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin,” which aired on Reelz. He authored two books and contributed to various print and online publications worldwide. Rubin was also known for his charitable efforts, including promoting the Bay to Bay bike ride to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research.
Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie, and their four children. The news of his passing has left a significant void in the KTLA newsroom and the broader entertainment community. His final show appearance was on May 9, where he interviewed actress Jane Seymour. He did not appear on the broadcast on May 10, and his sudden death has left many in shock.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report confirmed that Rubin’s death was due to ischemic heart disease caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. This condition, characterized by narrowed arteries, reduces blood and oxygen flow to the heart, leading to a lethal heartbeat. It is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of people.
Rubin’s passing has been a significant loss for the KTLA family and the entertainment industry. His colleagues and fans remember him for his laugh, charm, and caring personality. He was a giant in the local news industry and a fixture of Los Angeles morning television for decades. His contributions to journalism and his warm presence will be deeply missed.
Source: KTLA, Los Angeles Medical Examiner, National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, Cleveland Clinic, Advocate Health Care
