From sports teams to television networks and KTLA viewers, the tributes continue to pour in for Sam Rubin
Tributes to Sam Rubin continue to pour in from across America and the world.
Honoring Rubin’s legacy from Washington, D.C. on Saturday was Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who took to X to express your condolences.
“Sam Rubin was a beloved icon… Both on and off camera, Sam always treated others with kindness and respect,” he said. “His work has touched the lives of everyone in the entertainment industry and his legacy will live on. Vice President Harris and I join the Los Angeles community in honoring his life and mourning his passing.”
Across the pond, the British television program This Morning paid tribute to the life and legacy of Rubin, who served as the show’s Hollywood reporter.
“Sam was an Emmy-winning entertainment correspondent and host of Los Angeles’ number one morning show on KTLA and regularly broadcast live on This Morning,” the show said on Instagram. “He woke up Tinseltown every day for decades with his congenial charm and savvy insight into the world of film, he was on first name terms with the stars and became affectionately known as ‘Hollywood Sam.’ We will miss him.”
This Morning will air a tribute to Rubin on Monday.
On the opposite side of the planet, Australian morning news Today paid tribute to Rubin, who was also an entertainment correspondent in the country.
Actress Viola Davis – one of three performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting and the EGOT – posted a video of Frank Buckley’s tearful on-air announcement of Rubin’s death with the caption: “His professionalism was unmatched by his kindness and humanity . I will miss his presence on the red carpet. God bless your loved ones. Good Luck Go with God.”
At the end of “Netflix Is A Joke Fest,” comedian John Mulaney thanked several individuals for their contributions to the comedy festival before ending with a tribute to Rubin.
“From the City of Angels, a special goodbye from Los Angeles to Mr. Sam Rubin,” said Mulaney.
Los Angeles sports teams also honored Rubin’s legacy and impact on the city, including the LA Angels, whose announcer mentioned the sad news on air during the Angels’ 9-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.
“Sad news yesterday in SoCal with the passing of Sam Rubin…[he was] a legend at KTLA,” he said. “I saw him several years ago at Tempe for Angels spring training games.”
The LA Galaxy also honored Rubin with a personalized jersey in the team photo before Saturday night’s game against Real Salt Lake.
“The LA Galaxy mourns the loss of deeply respected KTLA 5 News anchor Sam Rubin,” the club said in an Instagram post.
Perhaps the most touching tributes of all are the voicemail messages and email notes left by KTLA viewers.
“I have been watching for years and a year ago I was in the hospital awaiting hip surgery [when] my blood pressure got really high,” a viewer named Carrie said over the phone. “I turned on my morning news at the hospital and Sam Rubin was on and I started laughing and my blood pressure immediately went back to normal… My family is also mourning the loss of Sam Rubin.”
“Sam Rubin meant a lot to us here in my family,” another viewer said in a voicemail message. “I know Sam is there entertaining the people who left us here in Hollywood… I love you, Sam.”
“I’m crying watching you guys on TV now…Sam was by far one of the best in his own category,” one viewer emailed KTLA. “I’m crying and feeling your pain because I feel like I knew him on a deeper level… By far, Sam Rubin is a legend… on a Kobe Bryant level.”
“I’m watching your morning show with teary eyes and a knot in my heart,” another viewer named Jane said in an email. “He was a force of nature and never disappointed with his interviews and commentary on celebrities and films. I loved that he was so obsessed with food and that he was a wonderful father…I was lucky enough to meet Sam about 25 to 30 years ago when he looked at a house I had listed in Pacific Palisades…I was surprised when he walked in and looked so short but he was larger than life and all those who felt they knew him but never really knew him will always remember him with a smile in their hearts.”
One man even named his two fish Sam and Rubin in honor of the late entertainment reporting icon.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced by Rubin’s family.
