Loni Anderson, renowned for her role as the witty and poised receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the classic television sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” has died at the age of 79.
Anderson passed away on Sunday at a Los Angeles hospital after a prolonged illness, just days before her 80th birthday, according to her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.
In a heartfelt statement, Anderson’s family expressed their grief, saying, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”
“WKRP in Cincinnati” aired from 1978 to 1982 and showcased the comedic struggles of a failing Ohio radio station attempting to rebrand itself with a focus on rock music.
The show’s cast included notable actors such as Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers, with Anderson as the charming and sharp-witted receptionist.
Her portrayal of Marlowe, who adeptly managed the station’s challenges while deflecting unwanted calls for her boss, earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, solidifying her status as a television icon.
In addition to her television success, Anderson shared the screen with Burt Reynolds in the 1983 comedy “Stroker Ace.” The duo later married, capturing media attention as tabloid fixtures until their tumultuous breakup in 1994.
Reflecting on their relationship during the unveiling of a bronze bust at Reynolds’ Hollywood grave site in 2021, Anderson described their son, Quinton Reynolds, as “the best decision that we ever made in our entire relationship.”
She acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a relationship amidst constant media scrutiny, stating, “I think back to the beginning of our relationship, it was so, oh, gosh, tabloidy. We were just a spectacle all the time. And it was hard to have a relationship in that atmosphere. And somehow, we did it through many ups and downs.”
Anderson detailed her life and experiences in her 1995 autobiography, “My Life in High Heels,” which she described as a story about “the growth of a woman, a woman who survives.”
In promoting the book, she insisted on honesty, saying, “I think if you’re going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all. You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because you’re telling the truth.”
Over her lifetime, Anderson married four times, with her last marriage to Bob Flick occurring in 2008.
Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was the daughter of an environmental chemist and a model.
She began her acting career with a small role in the 1966 film “Nevada Smith,” which starred Steve McQueen.
Throughout the 1970s, she made early guest appearances on shows like “S.W.A.T.” and “Police Woman” before achieving fame with “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
After her time on the show, she starred in the short-lived sitcom “Easy Street” and appeared in various made-for-TV films, including “A Letter to Three Wives” and “White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.”
In 2023, she co-starred in Lifetime’s “Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas” with other notable actresses including Linda Gray and Morgan Fairchild.
Following the news of her passing, Fairchild expressed her sorrow on social media, calling Anderson “the sweetest, most gracious lady” and conveyed her devastation over the loss.
Anderson is survived by her husband Bob Flick, daughter Deidra, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, and grandchildren, among other family members.
A private family service is planned at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, as confirmed by her publicist Kagan.
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