Sam Rubin, the KTLA leisure journalist, died Friday at 64. Rubin grew to become a fixture of Los Angeles tv after becoming a member of the station in 1991 as a reporter on “KTLA Morning Information.” He labored alongside Carlos Amezcua, a co-anchor of the revolutionary morning present. In his personal phrases, Amezcua remembers his buddy and longtime colleague.
Sam Rubin was the spark that ignited the success of “KTLA Morning Information.” His passing leaves an enormous void not solely in our hearts but in addition within the Hollywood leisure neighborhood.
He was liked and even revered in some circles. All who wanted consideration for his or her movies, music, TV exhibits and comedy may depend on Sam to be there for them. He had a large character with a smooth contact and was equal elements mischievous and strong journalist.
He was all these issues to those that watched and interacted with him, however to me, he was my buddy Sammy. He actually didn’t wish to be known as that any greater than I appreciated him calling me Chuck, however such was our relationship. On the air, we carried on with laughter, sarcasm and wild-eyed enthusiasm. He knew what our viewers needed and delivered each single time — he by no means failed, not as soon as.
When he got here to us, Barbara Beck and I have been informed to go straightforward on this new man they have been bringing in. They needed to attempt him out to be the Hollywood reporter. I don’t know what the bosses have been afraid of, however we have been welcoming and type to this brash younger man, stuffed with bravado and quirky mannerisms. He sat down, delivered his tales and commenced to have interaction us in dialog, which shocked us. That was the start of the magic that Sam Rubin would deliver to “KTLA Morning Information.” I liked his wit, his smarts, his daring strategy to leisure protection. He was to not be denied!
A “KTLA Morning Information” reunion for the twentieth anniversary of the present. From left: Michelle Ruiz, Jennifer York, Mark Kriski, Barbara Beck, Sam Rubin, Carlos Amezcua and Eric Spillman.
(KTLA)
I started to be taught what buttons to push and what would set him off. I challenged his film critiques and caught him in a fib every now and then. It was sport for Barbara, Mark Kriski and I, and we liked each minute of it. The present grew to become a hybrid information and leisure program, in contrast to something Los Angeles or America had seen earlier than.
What I usually say about Sam is that he linked us to Los Angeles. He knew L.A. higher than any of us. He knew the folks, the showbiz gamers and he spoke their language. Sam and I had many spirited conversations about what he was doing, and I informed him we’d all again him up if the bosses ever received in his approach. To their credit score, the bosses by no means did, and our present grew to become one of the crucial profitable applications in L.A. historical past. For greater than 30 years he gave all of it he had. He was unwavering, cheerful, magnanimous and pushed. At 64, he may outwork any reporter half his age.
The final time we had drinks collectively, we have been each a bit melancholy. Time had handed too rapidly, and we talked about all of the stuff we nonetheless needed to do in our previous age. He was enthusiastic about his household, particularly his kids, and we shared tales about our children. He was a really loving man who made everybody round him higher. He liked his leisure workforce, who labored tirelessly to meet his artistic and generally kooky concepts.
For me personally, I’ll all the time be grateful that he listened to my suggestion that we promote Latino expertise. Sam invited a younger George Lopez and a parade of Latino actors, writers and musicians who weren’t seen on every other morning present within the nation. My Latino neighborhood liked him, and I revered his efforts and was grateful that he made all of that occur.
KTLA’s Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances)
The entire morning information workforce expertise in these early years was like lightning in a bottle. The day by day roll name, because the present began, declared who you’d see on the present: “Carlos Amezcua, Barbara Beck, Mark Kriski — climate, Sam Rubin — leisure, Eric Spillman, Michele Ruiz and Jennifer York in Skycam5!” What a lineup, what bravado! It took a big and devoted workforce to make all of it work, although Sam would sheepishly like to take many of the credit score!
There is no such thing as a denying that he was the central catalyst that made “KTLA Morning Information” the powerhouse that it continues to be in the present day. His mark on the published is plain and indeniable. He was an unique, a genius, my colleague, however most of all, he was my expensive buddy. I’ll miss you, Sammy. Relaxation in peace. Love, Chuck.