Hollywood is in mourning following the announcement on Sunday, August 3, 2025, that veteran actress Loni Anderson, widely recognized for her role as Jennifer Marlowe in “WKRP in Cincinnati”, had passed away at the age of 79. Her publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan, confirmed to The Associated Press that Anderson had died in a Los Angeles hospital after a period of “prolonged illness”. The specific nature of her illness had not been publicly disclosed at that time.
Her family released a heartfelt statement, conveyed through her publicist, which expressed their profound sorrow. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, and grandmother,” the statement read, highlighting the personal loss felt by those closest to her.
Anderson’s passing occurred just two days before what would have been her 80th birthday on Tuesday, August 5. The news of her death prompted a wave of tributes from across the entertainment industry, with many colleagues and admirers reflecting on her significant contributions to television and film, as well as her warm persona.
Among those who shared their condolences was Barbara Eden, the iconic star of “I Dream of Jeannie”. Eden described Anderson as “a real talent, with razor-sharp wit and a glowing sense of humor” and further lauded her as “one in a trillion”. Morgan Fairchild, who worked alongside Anderson in the 2023 Lifetime movie “Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas”, remembered her as “one of the genuinely nicest ladies I’ve ever worked with”, adding that Anderson was “the sweetest, most gracious lady”.
Other notable figures also expressed their grief and admiration. Actress and comedian Loni Love spoke of Anderson as a childhood idol, expressing that she was “very sad to hear about the passing of Loni Anderson.” Original MTV VJ Martha Quinn hailed Anderson’s “WKRP in Cincinnati” character as “an iconic character, especially to radio enthusiasts like me.” Robert Hays, known for “Angie” and “Airplane!”, simply stated that Anderson was “an absolutely wonderful woman and friend, a wife, mother, and grandmother,” concluding that “Loni is now singing with the angels.”
Steve Sauer, President/CEO of Media Four and Anderson’s manager for three decades, offered a poignant tribute to her character and work ethic. “Loni was a class act. Beautiful. Talented. Witty. ALWAYS a joy to be around,” Sauer remarked in a statement, emphasizing her dedication to both her family and her profession. He affectionately noted, “She was the ultimate working mother. Family first… and she maintained a great balance with her career.” Sauer also spoke of their shared experiences, stating, “She and I had wonderful adventures together that I shall forever cherish. I will especially miss her infectious chuckle. She will be forever missed.”
Born Loni Kaye Anderson in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1945, she harbored aspirations of becoming an actress from a very young age. Her artistic inclinations led her to study art at the University of Minnesota, and she even achieved the runner – up status in the 1964 Miss Minnesota pageant. In 1964, she eloped with Bruce Hasselberg, the brother of a fellow pageant contestant, though their marriage ended within a matter of months.
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Anderson’s journey into the acting world began on the stage in Minneapolis, where she took on the role of Billie, famously played by Judy Holliday, in “Born Yesterday”. For this role, she adopted a blond wig, a look that would later become her signature. It was during this period that veteran actor Pat O’Brien recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue opportunities in Hollywood, laying the foundation for her future career.
In 1975, Anderson made the decisive move to Los Angeles, accompanied by her then – husband, “Airport ’77” star Ross Bickell, whom she had married in 1974. Upon arriving in Hollywood, she dyed her naturally dark hair platinum blond, a transformation that coincided with a steady stream of television work. Her early career in the city included guest appearances on popular series such as “S.W.A.T.”, “Police Woman”, “Barnaby Jones”, “Phyllis”, and “The Bob Newhart Show”.
Notably, Anderson auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow on “Three’s Company”, but as the show’s star John Ritter later recounted, she was considered “too beautiful, too savvy” for the part. Ritter explained, “No one would believe she couldn’t live in her own apartment, that she would have to struggle to get the rent paid”, a testament to her striking presence and self – assured demeanor.
Her breakout role came in 1978 when she was cast as Jennifer Marlowe on “WKRP in Cincinnati”, a CBS sitcom that aired until 1982. The show centered on a struggling Ohio radio station attempting to revitalize itself with rock music. Anderson initially expressed reservations about the role, feeling it was merely “window dressing”. However, after discussing her concerns with series creator Hugh Wilson, she influenced the character’s development. Wilson asked her, “Well, how would you do it?” and then agreed to her vision: “Let’s make her look like Lana Turner and be the smartest person in the room.”
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As the station’s receptionist, Jennifer Marlowe was far from a conventional character. Despite her glamorous blonde appearance and high heels, she possessed fierce intelligence and efficiency, which often kept the station operational amidst the incompetence of her coworkers. She effectively “flipped the script on the dumb blonde stereotype,” challenging prevailing perceptions of female characters on television.
Anderson’s portrayal of Jennifer Marlowe garnered her widespread critical acclaim, earning her two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations during the show’s four – year run. The role also solidified her status as a sex symbol of the late 1970s and early 1980s, a designation that she embraced over time.
Reflecting on this aspect of her public image, Anderson shared her perspective in a 2021 interview with Fox News. She recalled creating posters during her “WKRP” days and her reason for doing so: “Because someday my grandchildren will look at this. And I’ll be able to tell them that I really looked like that. What you saw is what you got.” She also recounted a conversation with fellow actress Ann – Margret, pondering, “Will there ever be a time when our names won’t be followed by ‘bombshell’ or ‘sex symbol’? It becomes a part of your name.”
Despite her initial surprise at being labeled a “sex symbol,” Anderson ultimately found peace with it. “I never thought I would be Loni Anderson, sex symbol. But I embrace it,” she admitted, emphasizing her gratitude for the diverse roles she had the opportunity to play. “I think I was lucky enough to have been able to play so many different things, and the sex symbol was a part of it. I took whatever my career threw at me. So I embrace it. And my granddaughters think it’s a hoot!”
Beyond her iconic role in “WKRP in Cincinnati,” Anderson’s career spanned decades and included numerous film and television credits. In 1980, she took on the demanding role of Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield in the telefilm “The Jayne Mansfield Story,” starring alongside a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Mansfield’s second husband, Mickey Hargitay.
Her film credits also include the 1983 comedy “Stroker Ace,” in which she co – starred with Burt Reynolds, a pivotal meeting that would lead to one of Hollywood’s most talked – about romances. She also appeared as herself in the 1984 Steve Martin comedy “The Lonely Guy” and later played the mother of Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan’s characters in the 1998 comedy “A Night at the Roxbury.”
On television, Anderson continued to be a familiar face throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She reunited with “WKRP” creator Hugh Wilson in 1986 for the NBC comedy “Easy Street,” in which she played a former showgirl who inherits a fortune. She also starred with Lynda Carter as private detectives in the 1984 NBC series “Partners in Crime.” Her versatility was further showcased in TV movie remakes of classic films such as “Leave Her to Heaven,” “Sorry, Wrong Number,” and “Three Coins in the Fountain” between 1988 and 1990.
Anderson also returned to her signature role for two episodes of “The New WKRP in Cincinnati” in 1991. Her later television appearances included joining the third season of the NBC sitcom “Nurses” in 1993, playing the conniving Teri Carson on “Melrose Place” in 1996, and portraying Tori Spelling’s materialistic mother in “So Notorious” in 2006. She remained active in the industry, working repeatedly until 2023, with one of her most recent roles being in the Lifetime movie “Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas.”
Her personal life, particularly her marriages, often attracted significant media attention. Loni Anderson was married a total of four times. Her first marriage to Bruce Hasselberg began in 1964 and ended two years later. Her second marriage, to “Airport ’77” star Ross Bickell, lasted for seven years, starting in 1974.
Anderson’s most high – profile relationship was with Burt Reynolds, whom she married in 1988. The couple met five years prior on the set of “Stroker Ace,” and their romance quickly blossomed. People magazine, which covered their Florida wedding, quoted Anderson at the time describing her joy: “I feel like Cinderella. I married Prince Charming.” They adopted their son, Quinton Anderson Reynolds, weeks after his birth in 1988, a decision Anderson later called “the best decision that we ever made in our entire relationship.”
However, their relationship, which made them tabloid fixtures, eventually soured, leading to a highly publicized and acrimonious divorce by 1994. Anderson candidly described the marriage in 2015 as “a really dumb move.” She also detailed their tumultuous period in her 1995 autobiography, “My Life in High Heels,” which she said was about “the growth of a woman, a woman who survives.” Reynolds publicly criticized her during their divorce, while Anderson accused him of having affairs and being addicted to painkillers.
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Despite the bitterness of their separation, Anderson and Reynolds reportedly made peace before Reynolds’s death in 2018 at the age of 82. Anderson told Closer Weekly in 2019, “We were friends first and friends last,” and emphasized, “It’s time to move on.” Their financial ties were only fully resolved in September 2015 when Reynolds issued her a final check for $154,520.
In 2008, Anderson married her fourth husband, Bob Flick, a founding member of the 1960s folk group The Brothers Four. They had initially met 45 years earlier. Flick survives her, as do her daughter Deidra Hoffman (from her marriage to Hasselberg) and son Quinton Anderson Reynolds (from her marriage to Reynolds). She is also survived by her son – in – law Charlie Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick, and step – grandchildren Felix and Maximilian Flick. Her grandchildren, McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, are Deidra’s daughters.
Anderson often spoke fondly of her family. During a 2003 appearance on “The Ellen Show,” she shared details about her life as a grandmother, mentioning her two granddaughters, who were then aged 10 and 7. She also described her son Quinton, who was then 15, as “very independent,” noting that it seemed like a good time for her to return to work. She humorously recounted an incident where Quinton, as a teenager, scolded her for touching his arm in front of “hundreds of people,” indignantly exclaiming, “You touched me!”
Loni Anderson leaves behind a legacy that is defined by her charm, talent, and resilience. She was a performer who broke molds, captivated audiences, and navigated the complexities of Hollywood with grace and humor. Her ability to infuse intelligence and strength into her roles, particularly in the role of Jennifer Marlowe, cemented her position as a beloved figure in television history.
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As her family and the entertainment community mourn her passing, a private family service is to be held at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. A public Celebration of Life is scheduled for a future date, which enables friends, colleagues, and fans to pay tribute to her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name are permitted to be made to the National Lung Health Education Program and/or the American Cancer Society, thus supporting causes that are in keeping with a life that was touched by illness yet lived with immense spirit.
