Hollywood, CA – Loni Anderson, the glamorous and sharp-witted actress best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has passed away just days shy of her 80th birthday. Anderson died on Sunday at a Los Angeles hospital after a prolonged illness, according to her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.
In a heartfelt family statement, her loved ones shared, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”
Anderson rose to fame portraying the smart, stylish and no-nonsense receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1978 to 1982. The show followed a struggling Ohio radio station attempting to revive itself with a new rock music format. Anderson’s character quickly became iconic—balancing beauty with brains, often saving the day through sheer competence amid the comedic chaos caused by others.
The sitcom co-starred Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers. Anderson’s performance earned her two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nods.
While WKRP made her a household name, Anderson also appeared in a number of films, most notably 1983’s Stroker Ace opposite Burt Reynolds. Their high-profile relationship dominated the tabloids throughout the 1980s and ended in a messy 1994 divorce. Despite the headlines, Anderson later reflected fondly on their shared son, Quinton Reynolds, calling him “the best decision that we ever made in our entire relationship” during a 2021 tribute at Reynolds’ gravesite.
In 1995, she published her autobiography My Life in High Heels, a candid account of her personal struggles and resilience. “I think if you’re going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all,” Anderson told the Associated Press. “You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because you’re telling the truth.”
Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was the daughter of a model and an environmental chemist. She made her acting debut in 1966 in the film Nevada Smith and built her career through TV roles in the 1970s, with guest appearances on shows like S.W.A.T. and Police Woman.
After WKRP, Anderson continued her career in television, starring in the short-lived Easy Street and numerous TV movies, including White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd. In 2023, she returned to the screen in Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas on Lifetime, appearing alongside fellow 80s stars Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild, and Nicollette Sheridan.
“I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson!” Fairchild posted on X. “The sweetest, most gracious lady! I’m just devastated to hear this.”
Anderson is survived by her husband Bob Flick (whom she married in 2008), daughter Deidra and son-in-law Charlie Hoffman, son Quinton Reynolds, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick and his wife Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.
A private family service will be held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
