Loni Anderson – Star of “WKRP in Cincinnati” – Dies at 79

LOS ANGELES — Actress Loni Anderson, best known for her role as the glamorous and intelligent receptionist in the hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, has died at the age of 79, just days before her 80th birthday.

According to her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, Anderson passed away at a hospital in Los Angeles after a prolonged illness. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother,” her family said in a statement.

Career Breakthrough in “WKRP in Cincinnati”

WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1978 to 1982, followed the story of a struggling Ohio radio station attempting to reinvent itself by switching to rock music. Anderson played Jennifer Marlowe — a blonde, high-heeled receptionist who used both her charm and sharp mind to navigate office chaos and keep the station running efficiently.

The role earned Anderson two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods, solidifying her status as a television icon.

On the big screen, she starred opposite Burt Reynolds in the 1983 comedy Stroker Ace. Their on-screen partnership soon turned into a highly publicized romance, culminating in marriage. Though their union ended in divorce in 1994, they adopted a son together, Quinton Reynolds.

Reflecting on their relationship during a 2021 ceremony at Reynolds’ Hollywood gravesite, Anderson said, “Quinton was the best decision we ever made.” She admitted their relationship, especially in the early years, was under intense public scrutiny. “We were a spectacle. It was hard to maintain something real in that atmosphere — but somehow, we made it through the ups and downs.”

Anderson candidly detailed their tumultuous marriage in her 1995 memoir My Life in High Heels, describing it as the journey of a woman who survived. “If you’re going to write about yourself, you have to include the flaws,” she told the Associated Press. “It may not be the prettiest version of yourself, but it has to be the truth.”

Over her lifetime, Anderson married four times, most recently to musician Bob Flick in 2008.

Born on August 5, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was the daughter of an environmental chemist and a model. She landed her first acting role with a minor part in the 1966 film Nevada Smith starring Steve McQueen. Much of her early career was spent in television, with guest roles in 1970s shows like S.W.A.T. and Police Woman.

Following WKRP, she continued to work steadily in television, appearing in short-lived sitcoms like Easy Street and TV movies such as 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 alongside Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild, and Nicollette Sheridan.

After news of her passing broke, Morgan Fairchild wrote on social media: “I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson! The sweetest, most gracious lady. I’m devastated.”

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.

A private family service will be held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, according to her publicist.