Loni Anderson, the iconic actress best known for her role as the glamorous and quick-witted receptionist on the hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away Sunday in Los Angeles following a prolonged illness. She was just days shy of her 80th birthday.
Her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed the news, and her family released a heartfelt statement:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”
Anderson rose to fame playing Jennifer Marlowe, the sultry yet sharp receptionist at a struggling radio station trying to find new life with a switch to rock music. The show, which aired from 1978 to 1982, became a beloved television classic.
Anderson’s character stood out—not just for her beauty, but for her poise, intelligence, and subtle dominance in a male-dominated workplace. Whether fielding absurd calls or quietly saving the station from chaos, Jennifer was the quiet force keeping things in order.
The ensemble cast included Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers. But Anderson’s role quickly became one of the show’s most memorable. Her performance earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods.
Off-screen, Anderson was also known for her high-profile relationship with actor Burt Reynolds. The two starred together in the 1983 comedy Stroker Ace and later married, becoming regulars in tabloid headlines before their divorce in 1994. The aftermath of their relationship, along with many other personal trials, became the subject of Anderson’s 1995 autobiography, My Life in High Heels.
In the book, she opened up about everything from childhood struggles and the loss of her parents to her Hollywood career, turbulent marriages, and motherhood. “I think if you’re going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all,” Anderson told the Associated Press at the time. “You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because you’re telling the truth.”
Even in later years, Anderson remained a vibrant part of the entertainment community, appearing at industry events and championing causes close to her heart. Her elegance, grace, and comedic timing left a lasting impression not only on audiences but also on the generations of women who followed her into Hollywood.
Anderson is survived by her husband Bob Flick, daughter Deidra and son-in-law Charlie Hoffman, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick and his wife Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.
Loni Anderson’s legacy is one of strength, humor, and resilience—both on screen and off.