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Popular KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin died from a fatal heart attack after being hospitalized in May, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced in a press release shared on Tuesday (July 9).
"The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 64-year-old entertainment journalist Samuel Rubin as ischemic heart disease due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (lethal heartbeat due to lack of blood and oxygen flowing to the heart)," the press release stated. "The manner of death is natural.
"Mr. Rubin arrived at a local hospital with stomach pain the morning of May 10 after calling 9-1-1 as advised by his doctor. He later was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 1103 hours."
The department said it completed an examination of Rubin at its Forensic Science Center on May 13 and his cause of death was certified on July 9. Rubin was reported to have experienced issues while filming his regular Hollywood news segment for KTLA's morning show, Morning News, earlier in the day of his death.
"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. 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," KTLA wrote at the time.
Rubin, a San Diego native who graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles, joined the news station in 1991 and was a consistent presence on red carpets throughout his tenure, hosting KTLA's Live From the Academy Awards segment, while also contributing to segments for the British Broadcasting Corporation's television and radio stations, as well as Channel 9 in Australia. The veteran reporter received numerous awards during his career including the National Hispanic Media Coalition's annual Impact Award for outstanding integrity in broadcast journalism, as well as the Golden Mic award for a lifetime achievement from the Southern California Broadcasters Association and being named as the best entertainment reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.