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Sam Rubin, whose morning interviews with celebrities on the Los Angeles television station KTLA 5 became requisite viewing for much of the entertainment industry, and who endeared himself to Hollywood insiders with his geniality and knowledge of their work, died on Friday. He was 64.<\/p>\n
Mr. Rubin\u2019s death was announced by a KTLA anchor, Frank Buckley. A tribute segment<\/a> that aired on the station said the cause was a heart attack.<\/p>\n In an industry known for its changing names and evolving trends, Mr. Rubin was for decades a mainstay for viewers across the city. An interview with him was considered a rite of passage for many stars.<\/p>\n His ability to make celebrities feel comfortable as he asked them about their craft spanned generations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Although it was clear that Mr. Rubin was immersed in the minutiae of his beat, part of his enduring appeal came from the antics he himself brought to the studio, and from his ability to change the pace of what could be a rote interview.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it shampoo and conditioner, or just shampoo \u2014 what is the hair regimen, Jared?\u201d he once asked the actor Jared Leto.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, my friend, it\u2019s a toupee,\u201d Mr. Leto said.<\/p>\n It was clear that Hollywood\u2019s biggest names had an affection for Mr. Rubin. They often appeared at ease and familial under the KTLA studio lights, as though they were speaking with an old friend.<\/p>\n Mr. Rubin could be seen<\/a> on a red carpet, shaking Tom Hanks\u2019s hand as the movie star shouted \u201cSam Rubin, ladies and gentleman!\u201d; interviewing Billie Eilish about the Oscars; dancing with Beyonc\u00e9 and the members of Destiny\u2019s Child when the group was still together.<\/p>\n On social media, many in the industry reflected on their interactions with Mr. Rubin.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if I was on my 85th interview that day, I was always happy to see Sam,\u201d the actor Ryan Reynolds wrote<\/a>. \u201cEven if HE was on his 85th interview that day, he always brought genuine kindness, curiosity and an outside the box question.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sam Rubin was born on Feb. 16, 1960, in San Diego, according to The Los Angeles Times<\/a>. He attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and earned a degree in American studies and rhetoric.<\/p>\n After working as a correspondent covering entertainment news for several local outlets, Mr. Rubin joined KTLA in 1991 and quickly made a name for himself with his unexpected questions and his easy charm.<\/p>\n Mr. Rubin won multiple Emmy Awards for his coverage as well as a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association. He used his celebrity acumen as co-author of two celebrity biographies, of the former first lady Jacqueline Onassis and the actress Mia Farrow.<\/p>\n The entertainment that Mr. Rubin offered was not confined to the KTLA studio. He was the co-owner of SRE Inc<\/a>., the production company behind broadcast and cable programs including \u201cLive From\u201d red-carpet events and the talk show \u201cHollywood Uncensored.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie Gale Shuman, and four children, according to The Los Angeles Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n In his last interview, on Thursday, Mr. Rubin spoke with the actress Jane Seymour.<\/p>\n After learning of Mr. Rubin\u2019s death, the actor Henry Winkler spoke to KTLA about the legacy that he left behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen you were being interviewed by him, there was nobody after you, there was nobody before you at that desk,\u201d Mr. Winkler said<\/a>. \u201cIt was you in that seat, and that was all that mattered.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n