Beloved HGTV Executive Loren Ruch Passes at 55 After Leukemia Battle
Great, here’s the headline you didn’t ask for but got anyway: HGTV stalwart Loren Ruch has died at 55 after waging a hard-charging fight against acute myeloid leukemia. I’m not exactly thrilled to break this to you, but someone has to point out the obvious: losing a network linchpin hurts. As reported in an internal memo from Warner Bros. Television Group chair Channing Dungey—obtained by Today.com—and later confirmed by E! News, Ruch passed away on June 12, 2025, surrounded by his husband, David Salas, and close friends.
Look, I don’t *want* to spell out the career highlights that everyone already praised in countless press releases, but here goes. With over 30 years under his belt, Loren didn’t just green-light hit shows; he tied teams together like duct tape on a broken tripod. Dungey called him “the rare leader who lifted everyone around him,” and yes, that includes mentors, mentees, and that one coworker who never learned to mute their mic on Zoom. In 2021, Ruch even donned a co-host hat on HGTV’s House Party alongside Brian Balthazar—proof that he could pivot from executive suite to on-camera repartee without missing a beat.
Don’t roll your eyes, but the American Cancer Society warns that acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, starts rampaging through bone marrow before most folks can schedule a second opinion. It’s one of the most aggressive adult leukemias out there, and Ruch’s battle—while courageous—ended far too soon. I told you so: sometimes the smartest minds and biggest hearts get taken earliest.
High-profile tributes poured in faster than renovation spoilers on social media. Christina Haack lamented on Instagram Stories that Loren was “one of the rare ones and the real ones,” adding that “everyone adored you.” Jonathan Scott, who probably could’ve built a fortress to ward off bad news, posted a photo of him, fiancée Zooey Deschanel, Loren, and David at dinner, captioning it, “Struggling with the loss of my friend tonight. Loren, you’re one of the great ones.” If that doesn’t tug at your heartstrings, you might want to check your pulse.
There you have it: another day, another industry pillar gone. I’m supposed to console you with some grand takeaway, but frankly, the only lesson here is that life’s too short for half-finished projects—whether that’s a renovation timeline or fighting cancer solo. And yes, I know it’s bleak, but sugarcoating reality never built a single dream kitchen. And that, dear reader, is why we can’t have nice things. Moving on.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Today.com, E! News, American Cancer Society
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
