What Caused KTLA Reporter Sam Rubin’s Heart Attack?

Longtime KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin’s tragic death was attributed to coronary artery disease, the Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed this week.

The 64-year-old was taken to the hospital on May 10 after experiencing stomach pain. Sadly, he was pronounced dead later that morning in the emergency room. Sources reported that Rubin had suffered cardiac arrest at his home in West Valley before being transported to the hospital.

The medical examiner’s report clarified that Rubin’s death was natural, resulting from ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease.

KTLA anchor Frank Buckley, while announcing Rubin’s death, remarked, “Quite simply, Sam was KTLA. The newsroom is in tears right now.”

Sam Rubin’s journey began in San Diego, where he was born on February 16, 1960. Moving to Los Angeles for high school, he later attended Occidental College. Rubin became a pivotal figure on KTLA 5 Morning News, which was an innovative attempt to reshape early-morning broadcasting. Until its launch in 1991, local news stations typically emphasized evening newscasts, assuming that morning viewers favored national programs like NBC’s “The Today Show” or ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Joining the KTLA Morning News three months after its inception, Rubin quickly gained a reputation for his candid interviews and affable personality. Co-anchor Carlos Amezcua described Rubin as the show’s “connective tissue” that offered the local authenticity they needed.

“What can always be said about Sam is that he helped the ‘KTLA Morning News’ connect to Los Angeles as a native Angeleno who loved L.A. and knew the city better than anyone else on set,” Amezcua shared. “We had L.A. in our call letters, and Sam always said that we knew L.A. and L.A. knew us.”

The success of KTLA’s morning news show eventually prompted KTTV Channel 11 to launch its own morning program, igniting a ratings competition.

Off-camera, Rubin’s life centered around his family, deeply touched by his generosity and dedication.

“I have five children and they all knew Sam and his family,” said Amezcua, “and Sam was just so generous with his time. He was a good family man and they loved him. We all loved him.”

Rubin’s illustrious career was marked by several local Emmy Awards and a Golden Mike Award. He was also honored by the Southern California Broadcasters Association, the Los Angeles Press Club, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Additionally, he wrote biographies on former First Lady Jacqueline Onassis and actor Mia Farrow.

Remarkably, Rubin had been on-air the day before his passing, conducting an interview with actor Jane Seymour. The next day, he called in sick, never to return.

Source: Associated Press