Sam Rubin was KTLA’s family man.
He was known for combining his private and public lives together on the air – many times including his children in the fun – giving viewers a unique look inside the home life of one of KTLA’s most iconic reporters.
Sam’s four children – Rory, Perry, Darcy and Colby – were his pride and joy; his role as father was the only thing more important to him than his role as Los Angeles’ leading entertainment correspondent.
His children also loved him very dearly, as evidenced by his 16-year-old son Colby’s appearance on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Monday, where he stoically honored his father’s legacy on his life and countless other lives across Los Angeles and the world.
“The outpouring [of support] has been tremendous,” Colby said. “And people I didn’t even know are reaching out…I was on a trip with my dad and people from that trip from a different country were like ‘We’re so sorry,’ so it’s like a reunion.”
With strength that the elder Rubin would be immensely proud of, Colby read part of a letter he penned to his late father live on TV from his dad’s seat at the desk.
“Hi Dad, I wrote this under the desk in your cubicle where you used to catch me sleeping, only you weren’t there to wake me up this time,” Colby began. “Dad, I can’t believe you’re gone. You’ll never pick me up from school again, we’ll never get to go biking, we’ll never argue about food, you won’t be at my wedding. I can’t believe you are gone.”
Colby’s beautiful note made Jessica Holmes, Mark Kriski, Frank Buckley and Dayna Devon tear up, and Colby’s reminder to himself shows his true strength during the most difficult part of his young life.
“He’s never gone,” Colby said. “He has this online footprint of over 30 years, so I always have somewhere to turn to.”
Before going to break, Colby pulled out a cupcake and ate it in the style his father invented.
Part of the note Colby read on the air can be viewed below: