Beloved reporter’s son takes his anchor seat days after his death

Beloved entertainment journalist Sam Rubin died May 10. Rubin had become a KTLA staple, as well as a respected figure in Hollywood.

Now, after many of the biggest names in entertainment shared their condolences, Rubin’s son is taking his seat.

On May 13, Rubin’s 16-year-old son, Colby, sat in the same chair his father once did and shared a few words with the live audience who grew accustomed to seeing Rubin’s face on their television screens most days.

“The outpour (of support) has been tremendous,” the teenager said while talking to Rubin’s colleagues and viewers. “And people I didn’t even know have been reaching out. … I went on a trip with my dad and people from a different country were like, ‘We’re so sorry,’ … so it’s like a reunion.”

Colby admitted he would often tease his dad that “no one knows who you are,” adding that it’s “surreal.” “You know, he’s never gone. He has this online footprint of 30-plus years, so I always have somewhere to turn to.”

Colby then began reading the letter he wrote for his father after his passing.

“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,” he shared.

“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.”

As Colby continued, he avowed how much we loves his dad, adding, “on the day you died, I hope you heard me say that. You were the kindest soul. You were the light in every room.”

“I can’t imagine my life without you. You were part of my everything.”

Colby remembered his dad always being there, never missing an event or a moment in his life. And how much he learned from his dad about life in the 16 years they got together.

“I wish more than anything I could show you how grateful I am and how much I love you,” he continued. “You were an incredible father and friend.”

“I idolized you. You are and will always be my hero. I never got to tell you that. And I’m so sorry dad.”

Rubin was known as KTLA’s “family man,” the news organization reported. He was a father of four, Colby being his youngest.

“Sam’s four children … 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,” KTLA shared.

Rubin was home when he went into cardiac arrest on May 10. He was 64 years old.