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Sam Rubin

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Sam Rubin
Rubin in 2022
Born(1960-02-16)February 16, 1960
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedMay 10, 2024(2024-05-10) (aged 64)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Burial placeMount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, Simi Valley, California, U.S.
EducationOccidental College (BA)
OccupationEntertainment journalist
Years active1991–2024
Employers
Spouse(s)
Julie Anderson
​
​
(m. 1988; div. 2006)​
[1][2][3]
Leslie Gale Shuman
​
(m. 2007)​
[1]
Children4
AwardsGolden Mike Award

Sam Rubin (February 16, 1960 – May 10, 2024) was an American journalist who served as the entertainment reporter for the KTLA Morning News and as a television host of entertainment talk shows and specials. He reported on the entertainment industry for over thirty years and interviewed many Hollywood stars.[4] He was also the co-author of two biographies, one on the former first lady Jacqueline Onassis and another about actress Mia Farrow.[5]

Career

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Sam Rubin was born in San Diego on February 16, 1960.[6][7] In the 1980s, he was an entertainment reporter for Group W, the National Enquirer, and Fox Entertainment News.[8][5] Beginning in 1988, he hosted hourly entertainment newsbreaks for the Movietime cable channel.[9]

KTLA

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Rubin joined KTLA in 1991,[7] two months after the station started its morning news program, KTLA Morning News.[10][11] The newscast had initially been faltering in the ratings with a straightforward format in the vein of its 10 p.m. newscast; its original anchors—Carlos Amezcua and Barbara Beck—loosened up the format.[8] Rubin's introduction to the show coincided with an increase in celebrity interviews on the program.[12] Ray Richmond of The Orange County Register credited Rubin as being "the missing piece" to the original cast.[10]

Rubin was known for his frequent jokes about movies and TV, including personnel at competing TV stations.[8] In a 1992 interview, he climbed into a bed between Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold.[13] At times, Rubin's remarks agitated KTLA colleagues and management. In 1993, he joked that Hal Fishman, one of KTLA's main evening news anchors, "once wore a skirt for a co-anchor job in Spokane" making a comparison between Fishman actor Dustin Hoffman (referring to Hoffman in Tootsie). The remark irked Fishman, who enlisted his lawyer, noted that he was "not a cross-dresser", said that he had never spent any significant amount of time in Spokane, and hinted at possibly leaving the station.[14] Rubin apologized and was reprimanded by KTLA.[15] In 1998, 2002, and 2004, KTLA suspended Rubin for comments he made about KTLA's assistant news director, KABC-TV's general manager, and the station's new set, respectively.[16]

Twice in the 1990s, KTLA tapped Rubin to co-host new local shows. In 1993, it debuted The Morning Show at 9 a.m., which was hosted by the KTLA Morning News team but was strictly a talk show.[17] The program was intended for national syndication but found little interest, so KTLA canceled it within a year.[18] In 1998, Sam joined Stephanie Edwards for The Live Show, which ran 26 weeks.[19] In addition, he hosted and produced award show specials for KTLA.[5][20]

During a live on-air interview with actor Samuel L. Jackson on February 10, 2014, Rubin mistakenly asked Jackson about the success of the trailer advertised at the Super Bowl, which featured African American actor and former Jackson co-star Laurence Fishburne, who had reprised his role as Morpheus from The Matrix franchise for a car commercial.[21] Jackson was offended by the mistaken reference and, in response, berated Rubin. In his apology, Rubin claimed he was referring to another commercial which did feature Jackson. That commercial, for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, was also screened at the Super Bowl. Rubin said he had not brought it up during the interview itself because he felt "stupid". At the same time, he said that Jackson had misinterpreted what he said. Rubin, nevertheless, chastised himself for what he called "a very amateur mistake".[22]

As an entertainment correspondent at KTLA, he frequently appeared on other media outlets, including KNX, The Joan Rivers Show,[13] and the WGN Morning News.[23] He was also the regular Hollywood entertainment reporter in the UK on ITV's This Morning[24] as well as for Australia's Nine Network on Today and Today Extra.[5]

Though edgy, Rubin was considered to have conventional tastes.[13] He was known for rarely being probing in interviews and generally being positive, which made him a favorite among Hollywood publicists;[25] his easygoing manner was known to put celebrities at ease.[26] Henry Winkler noted that he could make guests "open up like a flower".[20] Rubin went on paid press junkets, unlike most journalists who shun the practice for ethical reasons.[25] In 2012, he attended a press event for the film The Place Beyond the Pines at the urging of his daughter, who was 17. She wanted her father to ask her favorite actor, Ryan Gosling, questions.[20]

Other television programs

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In 1996, Rubin and Dorothy Lucey—the entertainment reporter for KTTV—co-hosted a syndicated talk show, Scoop with Sam and Dorothy, which aired locally on KTLA. The syndicator, ACI, intended Scoop to be a competitor to the successful Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.[27] The program launched although it had less national clearance than the industry standard for new syndicated offerings;[28] it was canceled due to low ratings after three months on the air.[29] Beginning in 2006, Rubin hosted Dailies, the flagship program of the newly relaunched Reelz Channel.[30] For Reelz, Rubin moderated an entertainment panel show, Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin, which aired from 2010 to 2012[31][32] with a run of 120 episodes.[5]

Industry involvement

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Rubin was one of the founding members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which organizes the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.[33] In 2004, he helped the awards land on The WB—their first time on broadcast TV—after he along with other members who were employed by Tribune Broadcasting–owned WB affiliates pitched the idea to the network.[34] Rubin hosted the 18th edition of the event, held in 2013.[33]

He was honored during his career with a Golden Mike Award for best entertainment reporter[33] and a lifetime achievement award from the Los Angeles Press Club in 2010.[31] Rubin made appearances as himself in several films, including Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)[35] and America's Sweethearts (2001).[36]

Personal life and legacy

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Rubin was born in San Diego and attended high school in Los Angeles. He graduated from Occidental College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies and rhetoric in 1982.[7][4] He was married to Julie Anderson and then to Leslie Gale Shuman; he had four children (two with each spouse).[37][7] On May 10, 2024, Rubin had a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles; he was rushed to the hospital, where he died.[5] His final television appearance was the day before.[7]

On May 28, a petition was initiated on Change.org to commemorate Rubin with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[38]

Books

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  • Rubin, Sam; Richard Taylor (1989). Mia Farrow: Flower Child, Madonna, Muse. New York: 2M Communications; St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312029500. OCLC 19220985. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  • Taylor, Richard; Sam Rubin (1990). Jackie: A Lasting Impression. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312912666. OCLC 243731979.

References

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  1. ^ a b Colderick, Stephanie; Scheerhout, John (May 10, 2024). "Tributes paid to This Morning presenter who died following suspected heart attack". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Shilliday, Beth (May 10, 2024). "KTLA's Sam Rubin Dead at Age 64: Legendary Entertainment Reporter Dies After Reported Heart Attack". In Touch Weekly. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Hill, Rose (May 10, 2024). "This Morning's Hollywood correspondent Sam Rubin dies at 64 after being rushed to hospital". Mirror. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Sam Rubin - ktla.com". Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Littleton, Cynthia; Saperstein, Pat (May 10, 2024). "Sam Rubin, Longtime KTLA Entertainment Reporter, Dies at 64". Variety. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  6. ^ @SamOnTV (February 16, 2024). "ICYMI.....and I didn't. Thank you so much for the many very kind "Happy Birthday" wishes. It is a true "pinch yourself" moment everyday to do what you love surrounding by the company of your friends. And thanks to @roobina_s – I have cut into that cake and it is delicious !!!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ a b c d e del Rosario, Alexandra; Campa, Andrew J.; Winton, Richard (May 10, 2024). "Sam Rubin, KTLA journalist and longtime entertainment anchor, dies at 64". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Weinstein, Steve (June 8, 1992). "KTLA's 'Morning': Snap, Crackle, Pop; Offbeat Style Boosts Show to No. 1". Los Angeles Times. pp. F1, F8. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Movietime network adds hourly news". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 302, no. 49. June 23, 1988. pp. 4, 27. ISSN 0018-3660. ProQuest 2826281812.
  10. ^ a b Richmond, Ray (September 28, 1992). "KTLA proves news can be played lightly – Morning show gets laughs and an audience". The Orange County Register. p. F4.
  11. ^ Schlosser, Joe (February 28, 2000). "Tribune rises with KTLA". Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 130, no. 9. pp. 36–37. ISSN 1068-6827. ProQuest 225301918.
  12. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 3, 2004). "KTLA's 'Morning' led a.m. news revolution". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 10. ProQuest 2640081644.
  13. ^ a b c Weinstein, Steve (December 24, 1992). "That's Entertainment, Too: Sam Rubin, Laurie Pike Put a New Slant on Show-Biz Reporting". Los Angeles Times. pp. F1, F8. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Richmond, Ray (July 28, 1993). "Fishman may leave KTLA over colleague's remarks". Daily News of Los Angeles. p. L16.
  15. ^ Weinbach, Joe. "Reminiscences: Harold Fishman (1931–2007): Longtime Los Angeles TV Anchor Took Serious Approach to News". The Wall Street Journal. p. A6. ProQuest 399098762.
  16. ^ Roderick, Kevin (November 23, 2004). "Sam Rubin suspension". L.A. Observed.
  17. ^ Sherwood, Rick (September 8, 1993). "'The Morning Show'". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 9. ProQuest 2362066227.
  18. ^ Linan, Steven (July 9, 1994). "Television". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  19. ^ Sokolsky, Bob (June 13, 1998). "KTLA's 'live show' is officially dead". The Press-Enterprise. p. A14.
  20. ^ a b c Larsen, Peter (May 10, 2024). "Sam Rubin, who died Friday at 64, felt like a fun-loving friend on the KTLA 5 Morning News". Los Angeles Daily News. The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  21. ^ Braxton, Greg (February 10, 2014). "Samuel L. Jackson gets medieval on KTLA's Sam Rubin in live interview". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  22. ^ "KTLA's Sam Rubin Apologizes to Samuel L. Jackson After Laurence Fishburne Mix-Up". KTLA. February 10, 2014. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  23. ^ Feder, Robert (March 16, 2007). "WGN bosses confirm afternoon switcheroo". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 53.
  24. ^ Iorizzo, Ellie (May 10, 2024). "This Morning to offer TV tribute to presenter Sam Rubin following death age 64". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Braxton, Greg (May 10, 2024). "At KTLA, Sam Rubin was a local morning news pioneer who covered Hollywood with zeal". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Lindner, Emmett (May 11, 2024). "Sam Rubin, TV Anchor Known for His Hollywood Reporting, Dies at 64". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  27. ^ Coe, Steve (November 27, 1995). "Sam and Dorothy take on Regis and Kathie Lee". Broadcasting & Cable. pp. 45–46. ProQuest 1505583731.
  28. ^ Benson, Jim (May 13, 1996). "It may not be all-clear, but syndie pair to launch". Variety. pp. 53, 57. ProQuest 1286153778.
  29. ^ Brennan, Steve (December 16, 1996). "Low ratings close 'Scoop' shop". The Hollywood Reporter. pp. 3, 35. ProQuest 2469198471.
  30. ^ "The reel Rubin". The Hollywood Reporter. September 27, 2006. p. 5. ProQuest 2471845540.
  31. ^ a b Block, Alex Ben (August 16, 2010). "KTLA's Sam Rubin launches talk show". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  32. ^ Block, Alex Ben (January 3, 2013). "Current TV Sold as Cable Universe Threatens to Shrink". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  33. ^ a b c Pedersen, Erik (May 10, 2024). "Sam Rubin Dies: Longtime KTLA Entertainment Reporter Was 64". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  34. ^ Schneider, Michael (October 7, 2004). "Crix kudos to kick off season on WB". Variety. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  35. ^ Johnson, Malcolm (October 15, 1994). "'Nightmare' frightening but predictable". Hartford Courant. p. E5. ProQuest 255454168.
  36. ^ Koehler, Robert (July 16, 2001). "'Sweet' doesn't crystalize". Variety. pp. 18, 23. ProQuest 236236851.
  37. ^ Colderick, Stephanie; Scheerhout, John (May 10, 2024). "Tributes paid to This Morning presenter who has died". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Kurzweil, Tony (May 29, 2024). "Petition started to memorialize Sam Rubin with Walk of Fame star". KTLA. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
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