Loni Anderson, the beloved star of the hit sitcom WKRP, which aired in Cincinnati from 1978 to 1982, died peacefully at the age of 79 on August 3, 2025, in a Los Angeles hospital. Her family confirmed her death, which came just days shy of her 80th birthday, after a long illness.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1945, Anderson rose to fame as Jennifer Marlowe, the intelligent and charming receptionist on WKRP, for which she received two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. Her performance challenged the “dumb blonde” stereotype and made her a household name.
In addition to WKRP, Anderson has appeared in numerous shows and films, including Strokes, Burt Reynolds, The Jayne Mansfield Story, Nurses, and All Dogs Go to Heaven. She continued to act in the 2020s and appeared in the 2023 Lifetime film Ladies of the 80s: A Davis Christmas.
Her health issues were related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a serious lung condition she had suffered from for years and was exacerbated by her family’s history of smoking. Throughout her life, she has been successful in promoting awareness and early detection of COPD.
Anderson has been married four times. Her most famous marriage was to actor Burt Reynolds (1988–1994), with whom she adopted a son, Quentin Anderson Reynolds. She also had a daughter, Deidra Hoffman, from her first marriage. In 2008, she married musician Bob Flack, with whom she built a post-Hollywood life.
At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated at around $12 million, amassed through a successful career, real estate deals, and a spousal settlement.
Legacy and public reaction
Fans and fellow celebrities around the world paid tribute to Anderson, celebrating her wit, grace, and generosity. People magazine highlighted her warmth and iconic status on television, and the Associated Press covered her legacy as a beloved entertainer who navigated decades of Hollywood change.
Her death marks the end of an era for fans of the 1980s sitcom. Through her character, advocacy, and spirit, she left a rich legacy. wikipedia
