Actress Loni Anderson, Star of “WKRP in Cincinnati,” Passes Away at 79 [WATCH]

Loni Anderson, best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and for her high-profile marriage to actor Burt Reynolds, died Sunday at the age of 79, as reported by The Western Journal.

Her death was confirmed by publicist Cheryl J. Kagan, who stated Anderson passed away at a hospital in Los Angeles after a prolonged illness. No official cause of death was provided.

In a statement released through her family, they said, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.”

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother.” https://t.co/L9ggu86zJB

— WALB News 10 (@WALBNews10) August 4, 2025

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Anderson rose to fame through her portrayal of Jennifer Marlowe, the sharp-witted and glamorous receptionist at a struggling radio station in WKRP in Cincinnati.

The sitcom aired from 1978 to 1982 and gained a loyal following during its four-season run. Anderson, known for her blonde bombshell appearance, intentionally played against stereotype by presenting her character as intelligent and assertive.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Anderson worked with series creator Hugh Wilson to reshape the role from a stereotypical secretary to a smart, confident woman.

“I don’t want to play this part because she’s just here to deliver messages and is window dressing,” she recalled telling Wilson. “Let’s make her look like Lana Turner and be the smartest person in the room,” she said.

She appeared in all but one of the show’s 90 episodes. Anderson also played the title role in The Jayne Mansfield Story in 1980, opposite a then-unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Super Sky Point to Loni Anderson, perhaps the definitive blonde bombshell of the 70s and who, as the lovely Jennifer Marlowe, always helped hold things together down at everyone’s favorite station on the AM dial. Tell Johnny, Herb, and the Big Guy we still miss them too. #RIP pic.twitter.com/nPeTUvUrEc

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) August 3, 2025

Born on August 5, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Anderson was the daughter of a chemist and a model. She was runner-up in the 1964 Miss Minnesota pageant and later attended the University of Minnesota.

After a brief early marriage to fellow student Bruce Hasselberg, Anderson moved to Hollywood, eventually meeting Burt Reynolds on the set of The Merv Griffin Show in 1981. They married in 1988.

Their marriage attracted significant media attention, especially as it began to deteriorate in the early 1990s. Reynolds filed for divorce in 1993 and accused Anderson of infidelity and unfit parenting.

Anderson countered with allegations of abuse and claimed Reynolds was addicted to painkillers. Their public disputes generated intense tabloid interest.

In interviews, Anderson described suffering physical abuse, allegedly brought on by Reynolds’ drug use. “Burt always said no one would ever believe me because he was Mr. Wonderful and the world loved him,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1995.

Rest in peace Loni Anderson.

There was something so wonderful about her role of Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP. She had the looks, brains and always the upper hand.

From Turkeys Away. pic.twitter.com/LKqMGtZQcH

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) August 3, 2025

She later likened her experience to that of Nicole Brown Simpson after following the O.J. Simpson trial.

Reynolds spoke openly about their public disputes, once remarking, “I’m very happy that we were able to sell papers for a year and a half.”

The financial toll of the divorce was substantial. Reynolds filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996 and ultimately paid Anderson a final settlement of $154,520 in 2015.

Despite the conflict, Anderson and Reynolds occasionally met for events involving their adopted son, Quinton. Anderson spoke at Reynolds’ funeral following his death in 2018.

Loni Anderson has passed away, just two days before her 80th birthday.

She was popular in 1980s on the hit TV series ‘WKRP in Cincinnati.’

RIP pic.twitter.com/3XT24VOKKi

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) August 3, 2025

After her high-profile divorce, Anderson returned to television with appearances in series including Melrose Place and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

She married her fourth husband, musician Bob Flick, and is survived by him, two children, two grandchildren, a stepson, and two step-grandchildren.

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