Karl Stefanovic has shared an emotional tribute to Today correspondent Sam Rubin following his shocking death at the age of 64.
The beloved Hollywood Uncensored host died Friday after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital, KTLA confirmed.
Channel Nine breakfast show host Karl shared a photo with Sam on the set of Los Angeles-based television station KTLA on Instagram on Saturday morning.
‘I absolutely loved every second with @samontv on and off the air for the last two decades. The spirit of him. His laugh. The warm and caring nature of him,” she wrote.
‘He was a beautiful man. What a waste. All our love for his family. And to his television family at @ktla5news @ktla_entertainment.’
Karl Stefanovic has shared an emotional tribute to Today correspondent Sam Rubin following his shocking death at the age of 64. In the photo, Stefanovic with Rubin on the set of the Los Angeles-based television station KTLA.
Rubin apparently suffered a heart attack at home after doing his regular Hollywood news segment on Friday morning, according to Variety.
He was transported to UCLA West Hills in an ambulance, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The reporter, who was on air yesterday, has worked at KTLA since 1991, covering entertainment, film and television.
He also worked with Australian breakfast shows Today and Today Extra.
‘I absolutely loved every second with @samontv on and off the air for the last two decades. The spirit of him. His laugh. The warm and caring nature of him. He was a beautiful man. What a waste. All our love for his family. And to his TV family at @ktla5news @ktla_entertainment,” Karl wrote on Instagram.
Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin had 120 episodes, produced by his production company SRE, Inc.
SRE has also produced more than 200 hours of programming for broadcast and cable channels, including Live From red carpet shows.
Rubin was also a founding member of the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association.
He is survived by his wife Leslie and four children.
Veteran reporter Rubin died at the age of 64 in Los Angeles, KTLA confirmed
In his latest Instagram post, Rubin shared an interview with actress Jane Seymour.
Since the announcement of his death, the network published a tribute, noting that Rubin’s “laughter, charm and caring personality touched everyone who knew him.”
‘KTLA 5 is deeply saddened to report the death of Sam Rubin. Sam was a giant in the local news industry and entertainment world, and a fixture on Los Angeles morning television for decades.
‘His laughter, charm and caring personality touched everyone who knew him. Sam was a loving husband and father – the roles he cherished most. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family during this difficult time,” the channel wrote on X.
His KTLA colleagues have also paid tributes to the teary-eyed veteran.
Veteran morning host Frank Buckley said: “We don’t know what happened, but it was sudden.”
He is survived by his wife Leslie and four children.
Meanwhile, Eric Spillman added: “I can’t believe we’re reporting this; it’s such a shock.”
Many entertainment reporters have expressed sadness over Rubin’s passing.
CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister said on X: “This is just horrible.” Life is so precious.
‘Growing up in Los Angeles, Sam Rubin was a pillar, part of the fabric of the city because he was in our homes (on TV) for so long. I grew up watching him and was always excited to see him in action on red carpets. BREAKING.’
Actor Jerry O’Connell said: ‘Sam Rubin was a LEGEND. Rest in peace KING.’
An emotional Henry Winkler called in during KTLA’s 1 pm broadcast on Friday and commented on the veteran journalist’s “warmth” and his ability to put his subjects at ease.
“He made every human being feel so special and made them open up like a flower,” the ‘Happy Days’ star said. He was interested in you as a professional and he was interested in you as a human being.
Perry Sook, president and CEO of Nexstar, called Rubin an icon and a beloved member.
‘Sam was an icon in Los Angeles and in the entertainment industry and was a beloved member of our Nexstar Nation. My prayers are with his family and the KTLA family as we mourn his passing. We will miss him,” he stated.
He had received multiple Emmy Awards, a Golden Mic Award for Best Entertainment Reporter, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association.
He was also named best entertainment reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.
In 2013, Rubin received the Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition for outstanding integrity in broadcast journalism.
Aside from this, he also supported several organizations, including the MS 150 Bay to Bike Tour, along with Los Angeles schools and literacy programs.
SRE has also produced more than 200 hours of programming for broadcast and cable channels, including Live From red carpet shows.
