The actor passed away at a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness, just days shy of her 80th birthday, according to her publicist.
By TrendyUpdates NewsDesk | August, 4, 2025
Loni Anderson, best known for her role as the confident and charismatic receptionist at a struggling radio station on the classic sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away on Sunday, just days before celebrating her 80th birthday.
According to her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital after battling a prolonged illness.
“Our hearts are broken as we share the loss of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother,” her family said in a heartfelt statement.
WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1978 to 1982, followed the misadventures of an underperforming Ohio radio station attempting to revive its fortunes by switching to rock music. The show’s ensemble cast featured Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers, with Anderson shining in her iconic role as the intelligent and alluring Jennifer Marlowe.
As the station’s glamorous receptionist, the blonde, high-heeled Jennifer Marlowe, Loni Anderson masterfully used her charm and wit to shield her boss, Mr. Carlson, from unwelcome business calls. Behind the scenes, her sharp efficiency often held the chaotic workplace together, compensating for the blunders of others.
Her standout performance earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods.
On the big screen, Anderson starred opposite Burt Reynolds in the 1983 comedy Stroker Ace. The two later married, becoming a high-profile couple in the tabloids before divorcing in 1994.
In 1995, Anderson released her memoir My Life in High Heels, a candid account of her journey through childhood struggles, personal loss, multiple marriages, motherhood, and the emotional challenges of her relationship with Reynolds. “It’s the story of a woman’s growth and survival,” she explained. “If you’re going to write about yourself, it has to be warts and all. You may not always come off looking your best, but it has to be the truth,” she told the Associated Press.
Loni 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.
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