This Morning's Ben Shephard honours late star Sam Rubin 'with a heavy heart' (2024)

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This Morning honoured late Hollywood correspondent Sam Rubin with an emotional and heartfelt tribute this week.

On Friday, it was confirmed the show’s former Hollywood reporter had died at the age of 64, with stars and fans from from all over the world remembering the veteran broadcaster.

On Monday’s episode of the ITV daytime show, Ben Shephard addressed the tragic news and said: ‘We’re gonna start the show today with very heavy hearts.’

He added: ‘He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Sam’s wife Lesley and his four children, and of course his KTLA colleagues at this time.’

Ben’s co-host Cat Deeley hailed him as the ‘best in the biz’, while the show aired a beautiful montage reflecting on Rubin’s life and career.

‘You can see why he was loved by so many people, looking back on those clips,’ Ben said, before the presenter’s friend Ross King said: ‘I get lost for words at times, he was a lovely man.’

US outlets reported Rubin died at his home of a heart attack after doing his daily Hollywood news segment on TV channel KTLA.

Rubin first began at the station in 1991, and over the years collected Emmys and a Golden Mike award for his broadcasting achievements.

‘KTLA 5 is profoundly saddened to report the death of Sam Rubin,’ thechannel wrote on X.

‘Sam was a giant in the local news industry and the entertainment world, and a fixture of Los Angeles morning television for decades. His laugh, charm and caring personality touched all who knew him.

‘Sam was a loving husband and father: the roles he cherished the most. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family during this difficult time.’

This Morning have said they will pay tribute to Rubin on Monday’s show, as they shared a statement acknowledging the news ‘with heavy hearts’.

The official X account wrote: ‘We have very heavy hearts this weekend with the news from Los Angeles that our Hollywood reporter Sam Rubin has died at the age of 64.

‘Sam was an Emmy winning entertainment correspondent and presenter for Los Angeles’ No 1 morning show on KTLA, and regularly broadcast live into This Morning.

‘He woke up Tinseltown every day for decades with his likeable charm and knowledgeable take on the movie world, he was on first name terms with the stars and became affectionately known as ‘Hollywood Sam’. We will miss him.

‘There will be a tribute to Sam on Monday’s show, but in the meantime, we send our condolences to his wife Leslie, their four children and Sam’s colleagues at KTLA.’

Meanwhile, stars who encountered Rubin in Hollywood and beyond have paid tribute, including Sharon Osbourne, who took to social media with a picture of him and wrote: ‘A true gentleman. One of the kindest men in the business. Sam will be missed by so many. My deepest condolences to his family.’

KTLA news presenter Frank Buckley was visibly emotional as he reported Rubin’s death on air at 1pm PST on Friday,

Describing the news as ‘shocking and hard to comprehend’, Frank continued the report, adding: ‘Our hearts, as you can imagine, are broken. Quite simply, Sam was KTLA.’

Speaking to Rubin was a staple pit-stop for Hollywood stars on publicity tours, and he interviewed A-listers from Tom Hanks to Zendaya over the years, with his warm on-air presence.

Behind the camera, Rubin – a Los Angeles TV news mainstay –also had a production company called SRE which produced hundreds of hours of broadcast, as well as 120 episodes of Hollywood Uncensored, which he also fronted.

Perry Sook, chairman and CEO of Nexstar, called the anchor ‘an icon’ in a tribute which read: ‘Sam was an icon in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry and he was a beloved member of our Nexstar Nation. My prayers are with his family and the KTLA family as we mourn his passing. He will be missed.’

Rubin was also a founding member of the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association.

He is survived by his wife Leslie and four children.

Actor Greg Grunberg paid a lengthy tribute, saying he was ‘numb and shocked’ at the news of his friend’s death.

‘I am numb and shocked at the news of my friend Sam Rubin passing,’ the Heroes actor began.

‘He cared about everyone that he met and always took the time to smile and ask about family and was the best at what he did. I can’t believe this news. So devastating and sad. Thinking about his beautiful family right now.’

The Critics Choice Awards also posted a tribute on X, which read: ‘The Critics Choice Association is devastatedby the sudden loss of our dear friend Sam Rubin, a longtime member of our Board of Directors and a guiding force throughout our 30-year history.

‘Sam’s generous spirit, unfailing good humour and deep knowledge of “Hollywood” made him a legend in the entertainment business and a trusted friend to millions of viewers – and to hundreds of stars who relaxed in easy conversation with him on his set at KTLA and on countless Red Carpets.

‘As we absorb the shock of this terrible loss, our hearts go out to his wife and children.May his memory be a blessing.’

Fans commented on Rubin’s last Instagram post – shared just yesterday – which showed an interview clip with Jane Seymour.

‘I am so sorry to hear of your passing. Sending love to your family and loved ones. You will be missed,’ wrote honeymist.auburn, while smargrave added: ‘RIP Sam, I’ve been watching KTLA morning news since the early 2000s. The show won’t be the same without you. My condolences go to your loved ones and colleagues.’

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