LOS ANGELES (AP) — Loni Anderson, the glamorous and quick-witted actress best known for her iconic role as Jennifer Marlowe on the beloved sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has died. She passed away on Sunday in a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness, just days shy of her 80th birthday. Her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed the news, adding that Anderson had been surrounded by close family in her final days.
In a heartfelt statement, her family shared:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother. Loni brought joy, laughter, and elegance into our lives and the lives of so many fans across the world.”
Anderson’s legacy is indelibly linked to her breakout role on CBS’s WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1978 to 1982. As Jennifer Marlowe, the station’s stunning, sharp-as-a-tack receptionist, Anderson subverted the “blonde bombshell” stereotype. Her portrayal of a beautiful woman who was not only self-aware but also the most competent person in the room earned her both critical acclaim and widespread affection from audiences. For her performance, she received two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods.
Set at a struggling AM radio station in Ohio that switched its format to rock music to attract younger listeners, WKRP featured a colorful ensemble cast, including Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers. Amid the chaos, Anderson’s Jennifer calmly and coolly managed everything from phone calls to office politics with poise and clever humor. She became one of the series’ standout characters and a cultural touchstone of late-70s and early-80s television.
Beyond the small screen, Anderson also appeared in a variety of film and television projects. One of her most high-profile film roles came in 1983, when she starred opposite Burt Reynolds in the NASCAR-themed comedy Stroker Ace. Though the film was not a critical success, it marked the beginning of a highly publicized relationship with Reynolds. The couple, both major Hollywood figures at the time, married in 1988 and were frequent tabloid subjects until their tumultuous divorce in 1994. Anderson would later speak candidly about the challenges in their marriage, particularly addressing Reynolds’ admitted abuse and financial mismanagement.
Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Loni Kaye Anderson showed an early interest in performing. She studied art at the University of Minnesota but was drawn to the stage and screen. Her career began with minor roles in television series during the 1970s before WKRP made her a household name. Anderson embraced her celebrity with grace, balancing a career in entertainment with her responsibilities as a mother and advocate.
In later years, she remained active in television, taking on guest roles in series like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Mullets, and So Notorious. She also became a spokesperson for COPD awareness, after her parents’ experiences with the illness.
Friends and fans alike remember Anderson not just for her beauty and comedic timing, but also for her kindness, professionalism, and generosity off-camera. Her enduring appeal lay in her ability to blend glamour with humanity—always playing her characters with a twinkle in her eye and intelligence behind every line.
Anderson is survived by her children, grandchildren, and her husband, musician Bob Flick, whom she married in 2008. Her family has requested privacy during this time of mourning and announced that a public memorial service will be held in Los Angeles at a later date.
As tributes pour in from across the entertainment world, one thing remains clear: Loni Anderson’s legacy will continue to shine brightly through the generations of viewers she inspired and entertained.