The Television Academy has named veteran entertainment journalist Sam Rubin as the posthumous recipient of the 76th Los Angeles Area Emmy® Governors Award, recognizing his legacy of more than three decades of entertainment news reporting for KTLA.
The Los Angeles Area Emmy award is presented to an individual, company or organization, selected by the Los Angeles Area Governors Award committee, that has made an outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television as well as a substantial contribution to the greater Los Angeles area.
Rubin served as the weekday entertainment anchor on KTLA’s Morning News until his untimely passing on May 10, 2024, at the age of 64. He joined the station in 1991, instantly making an impact as a “disruptor” in local news, as he brought a fun-loving, breezy sensibility to the newsroom, coupled with an encyclopedic knowledge of film and television. Rubin earned a unique reputation as a viewer and industry favorite who went beyond the entertainment headlines. His exploration of the deeper impact of stories within the entertainment industry generated conversations inside and outside the business.
“Sam was a trailblazer, a pioneer in the modern age of television news. His contributions to entertainment journalism in Los Angeles and around the world are unmatched,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy. “We are honored to recognize him for his influence and impact to our television community.”
Rubin was a founding member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest organization of film and television critics in the United States, with more than 200 members. While he was one of the most respected and connected entertainment journalists in Los Angeles and a favorite among Hollywood stars, his reach was global. He appeared on BBC, ITV and GB News in the United Kingdom and was a regular contributor to Australia’s Triple M radio and Channel 9.
Additionally, Rubin owned SRE Inc., a television production company that produced more than 200 hours of broadcast and cable programming, including several “Live From” red carpet shows and 120 episodes of the talk show “Hollywood Uncensored.”
Throughout his career, Rubin was honored with numerous Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, received a Golden Mike Award from the Radio and Television News Association (RTNA) of Southern California and was named Best Entertainment Reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club. In 2013, he was honored by the National Hispanic Media Coalition with its Impact Award for Outstanding Integrity in Broadcast Journalism.
Off the air, Rubin was an avid philanthropist, supporting a wide range of non-profit organizations and took particular pride in organizing KTLA’s team for the annual MS 150 Bay to Bay Bike Tour, a cycling event that raises funds to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. He also mentored numerous young people, helping others launch their own news careers.
The Los Angeles Area Governors Award will be presented during the 76th Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards Saturday evening, July 27, at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire. Christie Lyn Lugo Leigh and Stephanie Hampton are the Los Angeles Area Governors.
