Today entertainment reporter Sam Rubin dies unexpectedly aged 64

A popular Today show reporter has died after reportedly suffering from a heart attack at his home.

A popular entertainment reporter for the Today show has died at 64.

Sam Rubin reportedly suffered from a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles on Friday (local time) according to TMZ.

According to Variety, the incident occurred after he conducted his regular Hollywood news segments on US TV network KTLA’s 7-9 a.m. Morning News program that day.

The reporter worked for LA TV station KTLA as their entertainment reporter, and also worked with Today and Today Extra.

The TV station confirmed Rubin’s death in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“KTLA 5 is profoundly saddened to report the death of Sam Rubin. Sam was a giant in the local news industry and the entertainment world, and a fixture of Los Angeles morning television for decades,” the statement read.

“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.”

Entertainment reporter Sam Rubin has died at 64 years old. Picture: KTLA

Today entertainment reporter and close friend of Rubin, Richard Wilkins said his colleague would be missed.

“The entertainment world has really lost one of its greatest colleagues and dear friends today,” Wilkins said on Weekend Today.

“For the last 20-odd years he’s been a member of our family, mainly through the Today show and Today Extra … but whenever the big stories broke, Sam was our go-to guy.

“And those beautiful people that he works with, they will be absolutely gutted today, obviously he brought this immense knowledge of the entertainment industry, but he brought this immense warmth as well.”

Today Extra co-host Sylvia Jeffreys posted a tribute to Rubin on her Instagram story.

“This is devastating. Sam was such a loved member of our team; passionate about his work and unfailingly cheerful,” she wrote.

“He often spoke about his wife and children to us in there ad breaks- sending deep love and condolences to them all.”

Today host Karl Stefanovic also posted a tribute to Rubin on Instagram, writing “I absolutely adored every second with @samontv on air and off over the past two decades.

“His spirit. His laugh. His warm caring nature. He was a beautiful man. What a loss. All our love to his family. And to his tv family at @ktla5news @ktla_entertainment.”

Karl Stefanovic posted a tribute to Rubin (on the far right)

Rubin worked at KTLA from 1991 up until the time of his passing.

He was a staple on red carpets through the years, and hosted the station’s Live From the Academy Awards segment. Outside Hollywood, he appeared on BBC’s TV and radio segments and Channel 9.

Some of the A-listers he’s interviewed include Zendaya, Mariah Carey, Sting, Usher and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

He was also one of the founding members of the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association and led his own show, Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin, for 120 episodes.

Rubin received several accolades during his career. He was also honoured by the National Hispanic Media Coalition in 2013, receiving its annual Impact Award for outstanding integrity in broadcast journalism.

Additionally, he was a recipient of a Golden Mic award, a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association, and was named the best entertainment reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.

He is survived by his wife Leslie and four children.

- with New York Post