Beloved ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Star Loni Anderson Passes Away at 79 — 1980s Icon Remembered for Trailblazing TV Career
LOS ANGELES — Loni Anderson, the iconic actress best known for her role as the savvy receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the hit TV sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” passed away Sunday in Los Angeles after a prolonged illness. She was 79, just days shy of her 80th birthday.
Anderson’s passing was confirmed by her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan. In a statement, her family expressed their grief:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother.”
Television Stardom and ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’
Born on August 5, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to an environmental chemist father and a model mother, Loni Anderson began her acting career with a small role in the 1966 film “Nevada Smith,” starring Steve McQueen. She soon found her footing on television, landing guest spots throughout the 1970s on shows such as “S.W.A.T.” and “Police Woman.”
Anderson’s breakthrough came in 1978 when she was cast as Jennifer Marlowe on CBS’s “WKRP in Cincinnati.” The sitcom, which ran from 1978 to 1982, was set in a struggling Ohio radio station reinventing itself with rock music. Anderson’s character, the smart and glamorous receptionist, used her wit and charm to keep the station running smoothly, often outshining her less competent colleagues. Her memorable performance alongside cast members Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Jan Smithers made Jennifer Marlowe an enduring TV icon.
The role earned Anderson two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, cementing her status as one of the most popular television stars of the era.
Film Career and Tabloid Fame
Anderson transitioned to the big screen in 1983, starring opposite Burt Reynolds in the comedy “Stroker Ace.” Their on-screen chemistry led to a real-life romance, and the pair married, becoming fixtures in the tabloids throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The couple’s tumultuous relationship ended in a highly publicized divorce in 1994. Despite their ups and downs, Anderson later described their son, Quinton Reynolds, as “the best decision that we ever made in our entire relationship.”
Reflecting on the challenges of their marriage during a 2021 event at Reynolds’ Hollywood gravesite, Anderson said:
“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.”
She chronicled her life and career in her 1995 autobiography, “My Life in High Heels,” which she described as “the growth of a woman, a woman who survives.” Anderson was candid about her struggles and triumphs, telling the Associated Press,
“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.”
Later Career and Personal Life
Anderson’s television career continued after “WKRP,” including starring in the short-lived series “Easy Street” and appearing in numerous made-for-TV movies such as “A Letter to Three Wives” and “White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.” She remained active in the industry, even while facing health challenges, and most recently co-starred in Lifetime’s “Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas,” which aired in December 2023.
Anderson was married four times, most recently to musician Bob Flick in 2008.
A Lasting Legacy
Loni Anderson is remembered not only for her comedic talent and glamorous presence but also for her resilience and honesty, both on and off screen. She 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 wife Helene; and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.
A private family service will be held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, according to her publicist.
Loni Anderson’s legacy as a trailblazing actress and beloved television icon lives on through her memorable performances and the indelible mark she left on American pop culture.
