Loni Anderson, who became famous for her role as the empowered receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the popular TV show WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away on Sunday, just a day before her 80th birthday. She died in a Los Angeles hospital after a long illness, as confirmed by her representative Cheryl J Kagan.
Anderson’s family said they are devastated by her death and remember her as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1978 to 1982, was a comedy that focused on a struggling radio station trying to turn things around with rock music. The show featured a talented ensemble cast, with Anderson playing Jennifer Marlowe, a smart and pretty receptionist who used her charm to handle unwanted business calls for her boss, Mr. Carlson. She earned two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations for this role.
Anderson also starred in a film with Burt Reynolds called Stroker Ace in 1983, and they later married and became famous in tabloid news before getting divorced in 1994. In 1995, Anderson released her autobiography, My Life in High Heels, which detailed important moments in her life, including her childhood, her acting career, and her marriages. She emphasized the importance of telling the whole truth when writing about oneself.
Survivors include 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.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/03/loni-anderson-actor-death
