Veteran actress Loni Anderson, beloved for her iconic role as receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away on August 3, 2025 at the age of 79, just days before what would have been her 80th birthday on August 5 according to AP. She died in a Los Angeles hospital following a “prolonged illness,” according to her longtime publicist Cheryl J. Kagan and a family statement: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”
Born Loni Kaye Anderson on August 5, 1945 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Anderson began performing in musical theatre at age 10, eventually moving to Los Angeles in the mid‑1970s where she landed guest roles on shows like Three’s Company, The Incredible Hulk, and The Bob Newhart Show Her big break came in 1978, when she was cast as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982).
While her character initially seemed like the archetypal “dumb blonde,” Anderson famously insisted on making Jennifer smarter than her appearance suggested. The role redefined the stereotype: Jennifer was portrayed as self‑possessed, multilingual, and clearly the station’s smartest employee, earning Anderson two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations during its four-season run.
Following WKRP, Anderson starred in films and made-for-TV movies including The Jayne Mansfield Story, White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd, and Stroker Ace, in which she co-starred with Burt Reynolds in 1983 . Her later TV appearances included guest roles on Empty Nest, Nurses, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, So Notorious, and the 2023 Lifetime holiday film Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas .
Anderson was also an outspoken advocate for COPD awareness, motivated by her parents’ long battles with the disease. She published a memoir, My Life in High Heels, in 1995, chronicling her personal and career journey .
Loni Anderson was married four times. Her third marriage was to Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds in 1988, they adopted a son, Quinton, and divorced in 1994. In 2008, she married musician Bob Flick, with whom she remained until her death . She is survived by her husband Bob Flick, daughter Deidra (from her first marriage), son Quinton Reynolds, grandchildren, stepchildren, and extended family.
Tributes from colleagues and fans have emphasised her warmth, talent, and the trailblazing nature of her career. Anderson’s role as Jennifer Marlowe remains a cultural touchstone, a character who upended expectations and paved the way for more nuanced female roles in television comedy.
