KTLA’s Jessica Holmes pays tribute to Sam Rubin

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Loved ones are remembering the legacy left behind by Sam Rubin, KTLA’s iconic entertainment news reporter who died Friday at the age of 64.

Jessica Holmes, co-anchor of KTLA’s Morning News, spent most of her mornings working alongside Rubin, who she considered a dear friend.

“I love that man,” Holmes said tearfully. “We all did. My heart is beating out of my chest. He was a bright spot in my day, every day.”

Holmes and Rubin covered red carpet events together for all major awards ceremonies including the Oscars, the Emmys, the GRAMMY Awards and more.

Holmes said she’ll always remember how much Rubin loved entertainment and pop culture.

“For having done this job for 30 years, he is like a kid in the candy store when it comes to his job,” she said. “He loves what he does. He loves Hollywood. He loves the movies.”

  • KTLA's Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
    KTLA’s Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
  • KTLA's Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
    KTLA’s Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • KTLA's Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
    KTLA’s Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin speaking to Lenny Kravitz on the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin speaking to Lenny Kravitz on the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin speaking with Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps on the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin speaking with Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps on the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin speaking with Oprah Winfrey on the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin speaking with Oprah Winfrey on the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • From Left: Jessica Holmes, Henry Dicarlo, Sam Rubin, and Frank Buckley on set at KTLA. (KTLA)
    From Left: Jessica Holmes, Henry Dicarlo, Sam Rubin, and Frank Buckley on set at KTLA. (KTLA)
  • From left: Jessica Holmes, Sam Rubin, Frank Buckley, Magic Johnson and Mark Kriski at KTLA studios. (KTLA)
    From left: Jessica Holmes, Sam Rubin, Frank Buckley, Magic Johnson and Mark Kriski at KTLA studios. (KTLA)
  • Sam Rubin, Jessica Holmes and the KTLA news team. (KTLA)
    Sam Rubin, Jessica Holmes and the KTLA news team. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
    Jessica Holmes and Sam Rubin reporting from the red carpet. (KTLA)
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Television personalities Jessica Holmes (L) and Sam Rubin arrive at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
    LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Television personalities Jessica Holmes (L) and Sam Rubin arrive at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Rubin loved his friends and family and Holmes said he would always go out of his way to help those in need.

“If anyone said, ‘Sam I need you,’ he would’ve done anything he could at that moment to help you,” she said. “He wore his heart on his sleeve and was open, loving and a joy to be around. He was self-deprecating and he loved to joke. He had no ego. He had that way of making everybody feel comfortable around him.”

Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie, and his four children.

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