From sports teams to television networks to KTLA viewers, tributes continue to pour in for Sam Rubin

Tributes to Sam Rubin continue to flood in from across America and the world.

Honoring Rubin’s legacy from Washington, D.C. on Saturday was Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who took to X to express his condolences.

“Sam Rubin was a beloved icon…Both on and off camera, Sam always treated others with kindness and respect,” he said. “His work touched the lives of everyone in the entertainment industry, and his legacy will live on. Vice President Harris and I join the Los Angeles community in honoring his life and mourning his passing.”

One of Sam Rubin’s first entertainment segments

Across the pond, British television program This Morning paid tribute to the life and legacy of Rubin, who served as the show’s Hollywood reporter.

“Sam was an Emmy-winning entertainment correspondent and presenter for Los Angeles’ number one morning show on KTLA and regularly broadcast live into This Morning,” the program said on Instagram. “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.”

This Morning will be airing a tribute to Rubin on Monday.

On the complete opposite side of the planet, Australian morning news show Today honored Rubin, who was also an entertainment correspondent down under.

Actress Viola Davis – one of three artists to achieve both the Triple Crown of Acting and the EGOT – posted a video of Frank Buckley’s tearful on-air announcement of Rubin’s death with the caption: “Your professionalism was unmatched by your kindness and humanity. I will miss your presence on the red carpet. God bless your loved ones. Godspeed.”

KTLA reporters remember Sam Rubin’s warm welcomes to the family

At the end of the “Netflix Is A Joke Fest,” comedian John Mulaney thanked numerous individuals for their contributions to the comedy festival before finishing with a tribute to Rubin.

“From the City of Angels, a special L.A. goodbye to Mr. Sam Rubin,” Mulaney said.

Los Angeles sports teams also honored Rubin’s legacy and impact on the city, including the L.A. Angels, whose announcer touched on the sad news on-air during the Angels’ 9-3 win against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.

“Sad news in SoCal yesterday with Sam Rubin passing away…[he was] a legend at KTLA,” he said. “I saw him a number of years in Tempe for Angels spring training games.”

LA Galaxy also honored Rubin with a custom jersey in their team photo before their Saturday night match against Real Salt Lake.

“The LA Galaxy mourns the loss of deeply respected KTLA 5 News anchor Sam Rubin,” the club said in an Instagram post.

Late Sunday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers honored Rubin with a post on X which included photos of him throwing out the first pitch.

Perhaps the most touching tributes of them all are voicemail messages and email notes left by KTLA viewers.

“I’ve been watching for years, and a year ago, I was in the hospital awaiting hip surgery [when] my blood pressure got very high,” one viewer named Carrie said over the phone. “I turned on my morning news in the hospital and Sam Rubin was on and I started laughing and my blood pressure immediately went back to normal…My family is also mourning the loss of Sam Rubin.”

“Sam Rubin meant a lot to us here in my family,” another viewer said in a voicemail message. “I know Sam is up there entertaining the people who left us here in Hollywood…I love you Sam.”

Sam Rubin, the legendary, innovative … cupcake eater?

“I am in tears watching you guys right now on TV…Sam was by far one of the best in his own category,” a viewer emailed KTLA. “I am crying and feel your guys’ pain because I feel like I knew him on a deeper level…By far, Sam Rubin is a legend…on a Kobe Bryant level.”

“I am watching your morning show with teary eyes and a lump in my heart,” another viewer named Jane said in an email. “He was a force of nature and never disappointed with his interviews and commentary on celebrities and movies. I loved that he was so food-obsessed and that he was such a wonderful father…I had the good fortune to meet Sam about 25 to 30 years ago when he looked at a house that I had listed in Pacific Palisades…I was surprised when he walked in and seemed so short, but he was larger than life and all those who felt they knew him but never really met him will always remember him with a smile in their hearts.”

One man even named his two fish Sam and Rubin in honor of the late entertainment reporting icon.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced by Rubin’s family.

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