Legendary actress Loni Anderson, renowned for her role in 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' passes away at 79 years old.
Loni Anderson, a renowned actress known for her iconic role as Jennifer Marlowe in the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79.
Born on August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Anderson's big break came in 1978 when she was cast as the smart and sexy receptionist on WKRP in Cincinnati. This role, which earned her three Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations, solidified her place as an empowered TV character who used charm and wit to manage a struggling radio station[1][2][5].
Following WKRP, Anderson's life and career became intertwined with that of actor Burt Reynolds. They met in 1982 and married in 1988, adopting a son, Quinton Reynolds. However, their relationship ended in 1993 in a highly publicized and acrimonious divorce[2].
In 1980, Anderson starred in the biographical drama The Jayne Mansfield Story. The same year, Bob Flick, a founding member of the 1960s folk group the Brothers Four, and Anderson met more than four decades prior, in 1963[6][8]. They did not marry until 2008, but their relationship was marked by a sweet gesture in 2008 when they recreated their first meeting with a wedding cake decorated with their first photo[8].
After her peak WKRP years and marriage to Reynolds, Anderson continued to act, including roles in television movies and series. Notably, she appeared in the Lifetime TV movie Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas in 2023, collaborating with other 1980s TV star icons, showing her sustained involvement in the industry late into her life[2].
Anderson is survived by her daughter, Deidra Hoffman, her stepson, Adam Flick, two granddaughters, and two step-grandchildren[9]. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, Cheryl Kagan, who cited an unspecified prolonged illness[7].
In addition to her acting career, Anderson amassed over 60 credits[3]. Her career reflects a transition from breakout sitcom star to tabloid figure, then a veteran actress maintaining visibility over nearly five decades[4].
References:
- IMDb: Loni Anderson
- The New York Times: Loni Anderson, Star of 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' Dies at 79
- BBC: Loni Anderson dies aged 79
- CNN: Loni Anderson, 'WKRP in Cincinnati' star, dies at 79
- TV Tropes: WKRP in Cincinnati
- The Brothers Four
- Variety: Loni Anderson Dead: ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Star Was 79
- People: Loni Anderson Dead: Burt Reynolds' Ex-Wife Was 79
- The Hollywood Reporter: Loni Anderson Dies: 'WKRP in Cincinnati' Star Was 79
Celebrities and entertainment worlds collided when Anderson, the iconic actress, collaborated with other 1980s TV star icons in the Lifetime TV movie Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas in 2023, showcasing her sustained involvement in the pop-culture sphere even late into her life. Despite her tragic passing, Anderson's career reflects a remarkable trajectory from a breakout sitcom star to a tabloid figure, and eventually a respected veteran actress, intertwined with the ebbs and flows of pop-culture trends over nearly five decades.
