Sam Rubin, a TV anchor known for his Hollywood reporting, dies at 64

He was 64. His wife, Leslie Gale Shuman, blamed his death in a hospital to a system breakdown.

KTLA reported that the cause was a heart attack. In a sector known for changing identities and developing trends, Mr. Rubin was a fixture for viewers across the city for decades. An interview with him was seen as a rite of passage for many celebrities.

His ability to make celebrities feel comfortable as he quizzed them about their craft ranged generation.

Although it was evident that Mr. Rubin was engrossed in the details of his beat, part of his attraction stemmed from the antics he brought to the studio, as well as his ability to vary the pace of what could have been a dull interview.

“Is it shampoo and conditioner, or just shampoo—what is the hair regimen, Jared?” he once asked actor Jared Leto. “You know, my friend, it’s a toupee,” Mr. Leto explained.

Under the KTLA studio lights, Hollywood’s top personalities frequently appeared at ease with Mr. Rubin, as if they were conversing with an old friend.

Mr. Rubin was spotted on a red carpet shaking Tom Hanks’ hand as the actor exclaimed “Sam Rubin, ladies and gentleman!”; interviewing Billie Eilish about the Oscars; and dancing with Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child members when the group was still together.

“Even if I was on my 85th interview that day, I was always happy to see Sam,” said actor Ryan Reynolds on social media. “Even if HE was on his 85th interview that day, he always brought genuine kindness, curiosity and an outside the box question.”

Sam Rubin was born on February 16, 1960 in San Diego. His father, Theodore Rubin, was a defence and aerospace engineer and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

His mum was a school nurse. Mr. Rubin graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a degree in American studies and rhetoric.

He is survived by his wife and four children: Perry, Rory, Darcy, and Colby. Mr. Rubin joined KTLA in 1991 after serving as a correspondent covering entertainment news for numerous local sources. He rapidly became known for his surprise inquiries and effortless charisma.

He received several Emmy Awards, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association. He co-authored the biographies of former First Lady Jacqueline Onassis and actress Mia Farrow.

He was also a co-owner of SRE Inc., a production business that produces broadcast and cable programmes such as “Live From” red carpet events and the chat show “Hollywood Uncensored.” Mr. Rubin’s most recent interview was with actress Jane Seymour, which took place on Thursday.

After learning of the passing, actor Henry Winkler told KTLA: “When you were being interviewed by him, there was nobody after you and nobody before you at that desk. All that mattered was that you were sitting in that seat.