Loni Anderson, Star of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 79, Days Before 80th Birthday

Loni Anderson, the celebrated actress best known for her role as receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” has passed away at the age of 79, just days before her 80th birthday.

According to her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital after a “prolonged” illness. Her family released a statement saying, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”

The Iconic Role That Made Her a Household Name

Anderson’s career was defined by her performance as Jennifer Marlowe on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” which aired from 1978 to 1982. She earned two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of the glamorous yet highly intelligent receptionist. In a 2021 interview with Fox News, Anderson reflected on her status as a sex symbol from the show, stating, “I never thought I would be Loni Anderson, sex symbol. But I embrace it.”

Her work on the sitcom turned her into a household name and paved the way for her future roles in television and film.

A High-Profile Marriage to Burt Reynolds

Following her success on “WKRP,” Anderson’s life took a dramatic turn when she co-starred with Burt Reynolds in the 1983 film “Stroker Ace.” The couple quickly became a Hollywood power couple, marrying in a private ceremony in 1988 and later adopting a son, Quinton.

However, their “Cinderella” story ended in a tumultuous and highly publicized divorce in 1994. The legal battle over finances and child support continued for years, with Reynolds later calling the marriage “a really dumb move.” In her 1995 autobiography, My Life in Heels, Anderson accused Reynolds of physical abuse, a claim he denied. Despite the bitterness, Anderson paid her respects to Reynolds after his death in 2018, acknowledging him as a big part of her life and Quinton’s father.

Later Career and Personal Life

After her divorce from Reynolds, Anderson continued her acting career with television appearances on shows like “Nurses,” “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and “V.I.P.” She also played Tori Spelling’s mother in the 2006 series “So noTORIous.”

Loni Anderson was married four times and is survived by her husband, musician Bob Flick, whom she married in 2008. She is also survived by her daughter, Deirdra, from her first marriage to Bruce Hasselberg, and her son, Quinton. Her autobiography, released in 1995, offered a detailed look into her life and her struggles to keep her family together amid the media spotlight.